The Ancients Zoroastrianism
Nov 20, 2025
Join Professor Almut Hintze, a leading expert on ancient Iranian religions, as she delves into the rich tapestry of Zoroastrianism, one of the world's oldest religions. Discover the revolutionary ideas of Zarathustra, the significance of Ahura Mazda, and the sacred Avestan language. Almut also discusses how Zoroastrianism influenced ancient empires, its unique practices like excarnation, and its enduring motto of good thoughts, good words, good deeds. Uncover the fascinating intersection of Zoroastrianism with other ancient faiths!
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Avestan Preserves Ancient Language
- Zoroastrian ritual texts preserve an archaic Iranian language called Avestan that dates back to the 2nd millennium BCE.
- Almut Hintze explains these texts are some of the oldest attested Indo-European language witnesses still recited today.
Indo-Iranian Language Kinship
- Iranian and Indo-Aryan languages descend from a common Indo-Iranian ancestor and share close linguistic features.
- Hintze notes the Rig Veda and the Gathas show such similarity that speakers could likely understand each other.
Zarathustra, Ahura Mazda And The Gathas
- The Gathas center on Zarathustra and Ahura Mazda, rejecting the old daiva gods and promoting truth (Asha).
- Hintze presents Zarathustra as the prophetic figure who dialogues with Ahura Mazda across these hymns.