IL Archive The name that crossed millennia
EN

Independent research archive Texts · Ideas · Civilizations

Menu

Entity · spirit

Angra Mainyu / Ahriman

A reference page linking a name, group, or concept to the materials that discuss it.

Hostile spirit; Ahriman is a Middle Persian name in later traditions with changing theological relations.

Modern terminology diagram, not divine portraits or genealogy. Distinguishes Gathic spirits from later Pahlavi opposition; early theology is debated. These names are not equated with Yahweh and Satan
Modern terminology diagram, not divine portraits or genealogy. Distinguishes Gathic spirits from later Pahlavi opposition; early theology is debated. These names are not equated with Yahweh and SatanIL Archive · original diagram · CC BYImage source

Text

Duchesne-Guillemin distinguishes the Avestan spirits’ opposition from Pahlavi Ahriman opposing OhrmazdAhura MazdaWise Lord in Iranian traditions, associated with truth, goodness and creation; not a Persian name for Yahweh.Glossary · Click to read the explanation. This is not one timeless system. [1]

The diagram concerns terminology, not appearance. Functional likeness does not establish Jewish Satan as renamed Ahriman. [2]

References and notes

  1. Jacques Duchesne-Guillemin (1984). “Ahriman.” Encyclopaedia Iranica. Distinguishes Gathic spirits from the later Ohrmazd–Ahriman opposition. Return to the text ↑
  2. Morton Smith (1989). “Bible ii. Persian Elements in the Bible.” Encyclopaedia Iranica. Caution about inferring angelic/eschatological transfer from parallels; contrasts with Shaked. Return to the text ↑

Research history

Substantive changes are retained here. Minor copy edits remain in the internal operational log.

  1. Edition 2 · 11 October 2026 · editor:aladmin

    Substantive record update

    Read this revision in its original language (Arabic)

Suggest a correction · Suggest a source for this record

Cite this record

IL Archive, «Angra Mainyu / Ahriman», Edition 2, https://ilarchive.com/en/entities/angra-mainyu