1. Zoroastrianism A Brief Introduction Also sprach Zarathustra “Thus spake Zoroaster” http://www.youtube.com/watc h?v=SLuW-GBaJ8k http://www.youtube.com/watc h?v=SLuW-GBaJ8k http://www.youtube.com/watc h?v=SLuW-GBaJ8k http://www.youtube.com/watc h?v=SLuW-GBaJ8k http://www.youtube.com/watc h?v=cWnmCu3U09w http://www.youtube.com/watc h?v=cWnmCu3U09w http://www.youtube.com/watc h?v=cWnmCu3U09w http://www.youtube.com/watc h?v=cWnmCu3U09w

2. Youtube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K83F4URTS9I

3. History Zoroaster – date unknown. Zoroastrianism first mentioned by Herodotus. Zoroaster – date unknown. Zoroastrianism first mentioned by Herodotus. Achaemenid Empire: various groups such as Medes, Persians, Magi and others, unified under Cyrus c. 550, Greeks conquered in 330 BCE. Achaemenid Empire: various groups such as Medes, Persians, Magi and others, unified under Cyrus c. 550, Greeks conquered in 330 BCE.

5. Alexander, Seleucids, Parthians. Alexander, Seleucids, Parthians. Sassanians 228-634 CE—adopted Zoroastrianism, built fire temples, persecuted Christians and probably Jews. Sassanians 228-634 CE—adopted Zoroastrianism, built fire temples, persecuted Christians and probably Jews. By 6 th century, probably had spread along Silk Road all the way to China. By 6 th century, probably had spread along Silk Road all the way to China. Sassanians capitulated fairly rapidly to the Arab conquest. Sassanians capitulated fairly rapidly to the Arab conquest.

6. Legend has it that Imam Hussein (son of Ali and grandson of Muhammad) married a Zoroastrian—a Sassanid princess—Shahrbanu— the mother of Ali Zain al-Abidin, the 4 th Imam. Legend has it that Imam Hussein (son of Ali and grandson of Muhammad) married a Zoroastrian—a Sassanid princess—Shahrbanu— the mother of Ali Zain al-Abidin, the 4 th Imam. Zoroastrians were persecuted and humiliated under Islam. Continued to write—in Pahlavi script. Zoroastrians were persecuted and humiliated under Islam. Continued to write—in Pahlavi script. Migration in Middle Ages to Gujarat in India “Parsis” Migration in Middle Ages to Gujarat in India “Parsis” Today: Iranian and South Asian Zoroastrians Today: Iranian and South Asian Zoroastrians

7. Ahura Mazda – universal and transcendent God Ahura Mazda – universal and transcendent God Ahriman or Angra Mainyu – evil diety – will be vanquished at the end of time. Ahriman or Angra Mainyu – evil diety – will be vanquished at the end of time. Good thoughts, good words, good deeds— (Humata, Hukhta, Hvarshta) Good thoughts, good words, good deeds— (Humata, Hukhta, Hvarshta) these are needed to help Ahura Mazda overcome evil, and to keep evil and chaos from overtaking good and order. these are needed to help Ahura Mazda overcome evil, and to keep evil and chaos from overtaking good and order.

8. Some Beliefs End of time: a savior figure, resurrection, return to life of souls of all the dead, ultimate vanquishing of evil. End of time: a savior figure, resurrection, return to life of souls of all the dead, ultimate vanquishing of evil. Fire temples. Also have water and “Water of life” Nirang. http://tenets.zoroastrianism.com/nirang33.html Fire temples. Also have water and “Water of life” Nirang. http://tenets.zoroastrianism.com/nirang33.html http://tenets.zoroastrianism.com/nirang33.html Tower of Silence Tower of Silence http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31_OUYD- v1A&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31_OUYD- v1A&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31_OUYD- v1A&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31_OUYD- v1A&feature=related