Zoroastrianism is of enormous importance in the history of religions. It became the state religion of the three great Iranian empires and influenced other world faiths: northern Buddhism and Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

Preliminary material -- GENERAL -- THE GODS OF PAGAN IRAN -- DEMONS AND EVIL-DOING, FABULOUS CREATURES, FIRST MEN AND HEROES -- DEATH, THE HEREAFTER AND FUNERAL RITES -- THE NATURE OF THE WORLD AND ITS ORIGINS -- THE PAGAN CULT -- ZOROASTER ...

This volume traces the history of Zoroastrianism at times and places where its existence has previously been largely ignored, or treated only episodically.

This volume traces the history of Zoroastrianism at times and places where its existence has previously been largely ignored, or treated only episodically.

Scholarly studies of topics in the art, archaeology, ancient history and linguistics of the Iranian region.

Preliminary material -- THE BACKGROUND -- THE PRE-ZOROASTRIAN RELIGION OF THE MEDES AND PERSIANS -- THE SPREAD OF ZOROASTRIANISM IN WESTERN IRAN -- CYRUS THE GREAT (550-530 B.C.) -- CAMBYSES (530-522 B.C.) -- BARDIYA AND 'GAUMĀTA THE MAGUS ...