Empire 104. How Persian Religion Changed the World
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Dec 7, 2023 
Vesta Sarkosh Curtis, an expert in ancient Persian religion and history, shares her insights on the profound influence of Persian beliefs on world religions. She discusses Zoroastrianism's role as the first monotheistic faith, its impact on Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, and the fascinating evolution of Mithraism into Roman culture. Curtis also explores the struggle between good and evil in Manichaeism and the divine feminine embodied by the goddess Anahita, revealing the enmeshed legacy of Persian religion throughout history.
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Zoroastrianism's Wide Influence
- Zoroastrianism, despite its relatively small following today, has significantly influenced major religions.
- Its concepts like monotheism, good versus evil, heaven and hell, and the messiah figure have resonated across cultures.
Famous Zoroastrians
- Many famous figures, including Freddie Mercury, Zubin Mehta, and the Tata family, have Zoroastrian heritage.
- This highlights the community's impact despite its size.
Key Zoroastrian Concepts
- Zoroastrianism introduced key religious concepts, including monotheism, the struggle between good and evil, and the idea of heaven and hell.
- These concepts influenced Christianity, Judaism, and even Hinduism.