1339: "Zoroastrianism"

Interesting Things with JC #1339: "Zoroastrianism" – Before angels had wings and Satan had a name, there was a battle between light and darkness. This ancient faith shaped empires, and echoes through ours.

Curriculum - Episode Anchor

Episode Title
Zoroastrianism

Episode Number
#1339

Host
JC

Audience
Grades 9–12, college intro, homeschool, lifelong learners

Subject Area
World History, Religious Studies, Philosophy, Cultural Studies

Lesson Overview

Students will:

• Define key concepts in Zoroastrianism including monotheism, Ahura Mazda, and fire temples.

• Compare Zoroastrianism with other major religions such as Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.

• Analyze the historical influence of Zoroastrian beliefs on later religious and legal systems.

• Explain the cultural and geographic origins and practices of Zoroastrian communities.

Key Vocabulary

• Zoroastrianism (zor-oh-ASS-tree-uh-niz-um) — One of the world’s oldest monotheistic religions, originating in ancient Persia.

• Zarathustra (ZAH-rah-thoos-truh) — The prophet and founder of Zoroastrianism, known in Greek as Zoroaster.

• Ahura Mazda — The supreme god in Zoroastrianism representing truth, light, and order.

• Angra Mainyu — The destructive spirit opposing Ahura Mazda, representing chaos and deceit.

• Towers of Silence — Traditional Zoroastrian funerary structures where bodies are left to decompose naturally.

Narrative Core (Based on the PSF – restructured)

• Open — JC introduces Zoroastrianism as a profound ancient belief system that predates and influences modern religions.

• Info — Origins in ancient Iran (1500–1000 BCE); foundational beliefs in dualism and moral choice.

• Details — Description of worship practices, fire temples, and cultural reach under Persian empires.

• Reflection — Connections to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam; influence on concepts like angels and judgment.

• Closing — Emphasizes how Zoroastrianism’s quiet influence shaped modern thought. Ends with: “These are interesting things, with JC.”

Transcript

Long before Christianity, Islam, or even Buddhism spread across the ancient world, there was a belief system that shaped empires and helped lay the groundwork for many of today’s religions. It’s called Zoroastrianism.

It began around 1500 to 1000 BCE in what’s now Iran. It’s one of the oldest known monotheistic religions, based on the teachings of a prophet named Zarathustra—ZAH-rah-thoos-truh—who the Greeks later called Zoroaster.

At the heart of this belief is a constant struggle between two forces: Ahura Mazda, the wise creator who represents truth and light, and Angra Mainyu, the spirit of destruction and deceit. People were expected to take sides—by choosing good thoughts, good words, and good deeds.

Zoroastrians—followers of the faith—worship in fire temples. The fire itself isn’t a god, but a symbol of purity and truth. Some of these sacred flames have been burning for centuries.

Back when Persia was a superpower, this was its state religion. Under kings like Cyrus the Great and Darius I, Zoroastrianism shaped law, culture, and even influenced other belief systems. You’ll find traces of it in Jewish texts from the Babylonian exile, and in early Christian and Islamic ideas about angels, Satan, and final judgment.

Today, there are fewer than 200,000 Zoroastrians left in the world. Many live in India, where they’re called Parsis, and others remain in Iran. They still speak prayers in the old Avestan language and follow funeral customs that avoid both burial and cremation. Instead, they use structures called “Towers of Silence,” letting nature return the body to the earth.

So while most people today may have never heard of Zoroastrianism, it quietly shaped the world we live in.

These are interesting things, with JC.

Student Worksheet

1. What are the two opposing forces in Zoroastrianism, and what do they represent?

2. Where and when did Zoroastrianism originate?

3. How did Zoroastrianism influence other major world religions?

4. What is the symbolic role of fire in Zoroastrian worship?

5. Describe the Zoroastrian funeral tradition and explain its purpose.

Teacher Guide

• Estimated Time: 45–60 minutes

• Pre-Teaching Vocabulary Strategy: Use image-based flashcards for Ahura Mazda, fire temples, and Towers of Silence.

• Anticipated Misconceptions: Students may assume Zoroastrianism is polytheistic or extinct.

• Discussion Prompts:

  • Why might monotheism have been revolutionary in ancient Iran?

  • What elements of Zoroastrianism appear in other religions today?

• Differentiation Strategies:

  • ESL: Provide translated vocabulary handouts.

  • IEP: Use a graphic organizer to compare Zoroastrianism to a familiar religion.

  • Gifted: Research Zoroastrian legal influence on the Persian Empire and present findings.

• Extension Activities:

  • Watch and critique a documentary about ancient Persia.

  • Create a storyboard of Zarathustra’s life and teachings.

• Cross-Curricular Connections:

  • History: Persian Empire and the Babylonian Exile

  • Philosophy: Concepts of good vs. evil

  • Literature: Mythologies and religious texts

Quiz

1. Zoroastrianism originated in which modern-day country?
   A. India
   B. Egypt
   C. Iran
   D. Greece
   Answer: C

2. Who is considered the founder of Zoroastrianism?
   A. Hammurabi
   B. Zarathustra
   C. Darius I
   D. Muhammad
   Answer: B

3. The Zoroastrian god representing truth and light is:
   A. Angra Mainyu
   B. Ahura Mazda
   C. Mithras
   D. Shiva
   Answer: B

4. What is the purpose of fire in Zoroastrian worship?
   A. It is used for sacrifices
   B. It represents purity and truth
   C. It scares away demons
   D. It is worshipped as a god
   Answer: B

5. How are Zoroastrian dead traditionally handled?
   A. Cremation
   B. Burial
   C. Left in Towers of Silence
   D. Mummification
   Answer: C

Assessment

1. In your own words, explain how Zoroastrianism influenced later religions like Christianity and Islam.

2. Why might Zoroastrian beliefs have appealed to rulers like Cyrus the Great?

3–2–1 Rubric
3 = Accurate, complete, thoughtful
2 = Partial or missing detail
1 = Inaccurate or vague

Standards Alignment

U.S. Standards:

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.2 — Determine the central ideas of a historical text and provide a summary.

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.3 — Evaluate various explanations for actions or events and determine which explanation best accords with textual evidence.

• C3.D2.His.1.9-12 — Evaluate how historical events and developments were shaped by unique circumstances.

• CTE.HSS.HSS.8.4 — Analyze major religious traditions and how they contributed to cultural development.

UK / International Equivalents:

• AQA GCSE Religious Studies 8062/1A — Study of religions: Beliefs and teachings (Zoroastrianism as comparative context).

• IB DP World Religions — Core theme: The nature of religion and belief systems.

• Cambridge IGCSE History (0470) — Understanding key ancient civilizations and their belief systems.

Show Notes

In this episode, JC introduces listeners to Zoroastrianism, one of the earliest known monotheistic religions. Originating in ancient Persia, Zoroastrianism centered on the eternal conflict between good and evil, led by Ahura Mazda and Angra Mainyu. The episode outlines the foundational role of Zarathustra, the symbolic importance of fire in worship, and the unique funerary customs that reflect the faith’s deep respect for nature. As listeners learn, Zoroastrian beliefs influenced key elements of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—ideas about angels, Satan, and final judgment trace back to Persian thought. This topic remains vital for understanding religious development and intercultural exchange in history and theology classrooms.

References

• Boyce, M. (2001). Zoroastrians: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices. Routledge. https://www.routledge.com/Zoroastrians-Their-Religious-Beliefs-and-Practices/Boyce/p/book/9780415239028

• BBC. (2022). Zoroastrianism at a glance. https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/zoroastrian/ataglance/glance.shtml