Zoroaster Facts & Worksheets

Zoroaster, also known as Zarathustra, is the spiritual founder of Zoroastrianism, the first recorded monotheistic faith. His teachings influenced prominent figures such as Plato and Pythagoras and impacted the Abrahamic religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

See the fact file below for more information about Zoroaster, or you can download our 29-page Zoroaster worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

DATES

• Scholarly consensus places Zoroaster’s life, teachings, and religion’s founding around approximately 1500-1000 BCE. This timeline is supported by extensive research on the Early Iranian Religion, the widespread acceptance of Zoroastrianism, and references found within the Avesta, the sacred texts of Zoroastrianism.
• Zoroastrianism became the official state religion of ancient Iran, notably during the Achaemenid Empire era. Its influence extended from approximately the 6th century BCE to the 7th century CE. However, the religion faced a decline following the Arab-Muslim conquest of Iran.

EARLY LIFE

• Much of the information about Zoroaster comes from the Avesta, a compilation of Zoroastrian religious texts. However, the exact period in which Zoroaster lived remains uncertain. Zoroaster is believed to have been born to Persian parents, indicated by their names Pourusaspa and Dughdova.
• His family name, Spitama, suggests a meaning akin to “of a white or shining power.” It is possible that his father, Pourusaspa, was a priest, as it was common for sons to inherit their fathers’ professions in ancient times. According to tradition, Zoroaster had four older brothers and two younger, whose names appear in later Pahlavi writings.

CONVERSIONS AND MISSIONS

• The Early Iranian Religion relied on oral tradition, lacking written scriptures or commentaries, making it difficult to ascertain the specifics of its rituals. References in the Avesta and other Zoroastrian texts suggest the existence of a priestly class known as the magi, who conducted worship services outdoors at shrines called Fire Temples. 
• Sacrifices were likely offered at these temples, possibly consisting of grains, animals, precious metals, and objects, with the offerings becoming the property of the priests.
• Over time, the wealth of the priestly class probably increased due to these sacrifices and their likely control over fertile farmlands. While the names of two types of priests, karpans and kawis, are mentioned, their roles and distinctions in religious observance remain unclear. Zoroaster most likely entered priesthood training at the age of seven.
• He became a priest, most likely around the age of 15, and, according to Gathas, after he left his parents at the age of 20, he traveled and learned from different professors. At a spring festival, Zoroaster, then thirty years old, encountered a luminous figure on the riverbank.
• This person identified himself as Vohu Manah (Good Purpose), and he was taught about Ahura Mazda (Wise Lord) and five other radiant figures. Zoroaster immediately learned of the existence of two primordial spirits, Asha (order) and Druj (deception), the second of which was Angra Mainyu (Destructive Spirit). He, therefore, made the lifelong decision to encourage others to seek Asha. His teachings were compiled in the Avesta and the Gathas. He also witnessed a vision of the seven Amesha Spenta and got other revelations.
• Zarathustra immediately set off on his mission after acknowledging this vision as genuine. His old priestly colleagues rejected him, not wanting to see an upstart priest with a personal vision from God jeopardize their status. He was compelled to leave his house since his life was in danger, and it appeared that even his family had given up on him.

VISHTASPA AND ACCEPTANCE 

• Zoroaster eventually gained the support of Queen Hutaosa and a monarch named Vishtaspa, an early Zoroastrian who may have come from Bactria, according to the Shahnameh, when he was around 42 years old. 
• When he reached Vishtaspa’s court, he was acclaimed for his vision. Hearing about a new faith, Vishtaspa was no more delighted than the inhabitants of Zarathustra’s hometown had been, and he made him argue theology with the palace priests. 
• Vishtaspa put Zarathustra in prison because he felt that Zarathustra’s ability to refute their claims and demonstrate how they worshipped false gods while the One True God was revealed to them was too much of a threat to the status quo.
• Despite facing opposition, Zoroaster remained steadfast in his vision and received divine guidance on how to persuade Vishtaspa. He miraculously healed the king’s beloved horse, which had been afflicted with paralysis, leading the king to reconsider Zoroaster’s message in private.
• Eventually, Vishtaspa converted to Zoroaster’s new faith and declared it the official religion of the land. According to certain traditions, the priests who had opposed Zoroaster were subsequently executed.
• The new religion appears to have gathered converts swiftly, and Zarathustra was honored with a position at Vishtaspa’s palace. He spent the rest of his life with the king, establishing the precepts of the faith and appropriate observance of ceremonies, which did not entail animal sacrifice.
• He is claimed to have been married three times and had three sons and daughters. According to one tradition, he died of natural causes at the age of 77, while another claims a karpan priest slew him in punishment for dissolving the old religion.

PHILOSOPHY

• Zoroaster’s Gathas describes the human situation as a mental conflict between aša and druj. Zoroastrian religion is based on the complex idea of aša, which encompasses Ahura Mazda, creation, existence, and free choice.
• Humans, like all other creations, need to sustain and connect with aša. Humankind achieves this through active ethical participation in life, rituals, and the expression of constructive/good ideas, words, and deeds.
• Elements of Zoroastrian philosophy penetrated the West via their influence on Judaism and Platonism are identified as one of the crucial early events in the creation of philosophy. Among the classic Greek philosophers, Heraclitus is frequently cited as inspired by Zoroaster’s ideas.
• In 2005, the Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy ranked Zoroaster as the foremost philosopher in its chronology. Zoroaster’s enduring influence stems from Mazdayasna, a system of religious ethics he developed, meaning ‘worship of wisdom/Mazda’ in Avestan.
• Zoroastrian teachings, conveyed to the Greeks, notably by Pythagoras according to the encyclopedia Natural History (Pliny), influenced the adoption of the term “philosophy” to signify the pursuit of ultimate truth.
• Zoroaster placed a strong emphasis on each person’s right to choose right from wrong and their accountability for their actions. Ahura Mazda does not force someone to accept aša and reject druj; this is a voluntary choice. 
• According to Zoroaster, one can celebrate the divine order and advance on the never-ending path to Frashokereti by increasing aša in the world and in themselves through thinking good thoughts, speaking good words, and performing good deeds (such as helping the poor, performing good jobs, or performing good rites). 
• As a result, rather than being Ahura Mazda’s slaves or servants, humanity has the free will to choose to cooperate with him, perfecting the world as saoshyants (“world-perfecters”) and ultimately rising to the rank of an Ashavan (“master of Asha”).

INFLUENCES

• The teachings of Zoroaster have influenced various religious traditions and cultures. In Christianity, there have been attempts to identify Zoroaster with biblical figures like Ham or Enoch. Islam also shows parallels with Zoroastrianism, such as the concept of praying five times a day and references to figures like Thamud in the Quran.
• Islamic tradition considers Zoroaster the founding prophet of the Magians. In Manichaeism, Zoroaster is part of a line of prophets leading to Mani, and his ethical dualism influenced Manichaean doctrine. 
• The Bahá’í Faith regards Zoroaster as a Manifestation of God, alongside other significant religious figures like Abraham and Moses, who progressively revealed divine truth to humanity.

ZOROASTRIAN SYMBOLS AND BELIEFS

• An ancient emblem of Zoroastrianism is the Faravahar. It shows a man with a beard extending forward with one hand. He is positioned atop two wings extending from an eternal circle.
• Another significant Zoroastrian symbol is fire, which has cleansing properties and stands for warmth, light, and illumination. Certain Zoroastrians also see the evergreen cypress tree as representing perpetual life.
• In Zoroastrianism, fire and water are emblems of purity. Zoroastrian temples are sometimes referred to as fire temples. Every fire temple has an altar with an unquenchable, eternal flame that never goes out.

Zoroaster Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Zoroaster across 29 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Zoroaster. His teachings influenced prominent figures such as Plato and Pythagoras and impacted the Abrahamic religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. Zoroaster Facts
2. Zoroas-TERMS
3. Zoroaster’s Life
4. Zoroas-TEXT
5. Zoroaster’s Journal
6. Age of Zoroaster
7. Truth Prevails! 
8. All Good! 
9. Zoroaster’s Influence
10. Zoroastrian Symbols
11. Ready Get Set Quote! 

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Zoroaster?

Zoroaster, also known as Zarathustra, was an ancient Iranian prophet and philosopher who founded Zoroastrianism, one of the world’s oldest religions. He is believed to have lived sometime between 1500 and 1000 BCE.

What are the key teachings of Zoroaster?

Zoroaster preached the existence of one supreme god, Ahura Mazda, who represents truth, righteousness, and order. He emphasized the dualistic nature of existence, with Ahura Mazda representing good and Angra Mainyu (or Ahriman) representing evil. Zoroaster taught ethical principles such as truthfulness, justice, and the importance of free will in choosing between good and evil.

What is the significance of Zoroastrianism in history?

Zoroastrianism had a profound influence on the development of religious thought in the ancient world. Its emphasis on monotheism, moral dualism, and eschatology (the study of the end times) influenced later religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Zoroastrianism was also the state religion of the Persian Empire, contributing to its cultural and political identity.

What are the primary texts of Zoroastrianism?

The primary texts of Zoroastrianism are the Avesta, which is divided into several sections including the Gathas, hymns attributed directly to Zoroaster, and the Yasna, which contains liturgical texts and prayers. The Avesta also includes the Yashts (hymns to various deities) and the Vendidad (a collection of laws and rituals).

How has Zoroastrianism influenced contemporary society?

Although Zoroastrianism is practiced by a relatively small number of people today, its teachings have left a lasting legacy. Concepts such as the battle between good and evil, the final judgment, and the idea of a savior figure have resonated throughout history and continue to influence religious and philosophical thought. Additionally, Zoroastrianism’s emphasis on ethical living and the pursuit of truth remains relevant in contemporary discussions on morality and spirituality.

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