1. The Power of Religion Key Concept 1.3.E New religious beliefs developed in this period continued to have strong influences in later periods.

2. Zorastorianism

3. Zarathustra spoke: There is only one god You are either with him or you are with the forces of darkness We are not here to seek enlightenment or feed the gods, but to take place in a large battle between good and evil

4. One God - Monotheism Zoroastrians believe in one God, called Ahura Mazda (meaning 'Wise Lord'). He is compassionate, just, and is the creator of the universe. Ahura Mazda is: – Omniscient (knows everything) – Omnipotent (all powerful) – Omnipresent (is everywhere) – Impossible for humans to conceive – Unchanging – The Creator of life – The Source of all goodness and happiness

5. Spread Did not spread widely beyond Persia Alexander and later Islam disastrous for the faith. Small minority in Iran remains

6. Judaism

7. Historical Tradition First major monotheistic religion Migration to Palestine led by Abraham Early tradition of enslavement in Egypt and escape Est. state of Israel (1000 BCE) A relatively weak people, but very firm in their belief in one God Became quite focused on the human and the divine; a just God

8. Promised Land – given to Israelites by God. Promise first made to Abraham He also said to him, "I am the LORD, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to take possession of it."

9. Influence Jews in Persian Empire were influenced by Zoroastrian ideas God vs. Satan Last judgment and bodily resurrection The final defeat of evil (with a Messiah) Remaking of the world

10. The Vedic Religion

11. The religion of the Aryan Peoples in the Indus-River Valley Hunter gatherers who invaded the Indian continent The precursor of Hinduism Holy Books: the Vedas Modern Hindus believe they are inspired by God Encouraged very tight village organization; still impacts India today Encouraged a rigid system of social inequality, which still exists today in India