A History of the World in 100 Objects
Silver plate showing Shapur II
Jun 2, 2010
Exploring a silver plate from the 4th Century Iran depicting King Shapur II hunting deer, this podcast discusses the connection between power, faith, and religious beliefs. It delves into the symbolism of the hunting scene and explores why Zoroastrianism, the state religion of the powerful Sasanian dynasty, failed to become a dominant world religion. The challenges faced by Zoroastrianism and its continued impact on the politics of the Middle East are also discussed.
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Quick takeaways
- Zoroastrianism profoundly influenced major world religions and emphasized the cosmic battle between good and evil.
- The silver plate depicting Shahpur II hunting symbolizes his role as an agent of the Zoroastrian god and protector of his subjects, highlighting the merging of political and religious authority in the Sassanian Empire.
Deep dives
Zoroastrianism: An influential ancient religion
Zoroastrianism, founded by Zarathustra or Zoroaster, was one of the oldest and most influential religions in the Middle East. Alongside Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, it profoundly impacted these major faiths. Zoroastrianism emphasized the concept of a cosmic battle between good and evil, belief in a day of judgment, and the ultimate victory of divine justice. Significant Zoroastrian communities still exist worldwide, especially in Iran, where the religion originated. The religion's political and economic power was intertwined with the Sassanian dynasty, a Middle Eastern superpower that spanned from Syria to Pakistan.
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