Recently the library purchased the book titled, Religions of Iran: from pre-history to the present by Richard Foltz. Inside is a chapter titled, “In search of Zoroaster.” Zoroaster is a mystery to many as the basics of his life–where he was born, lived and when he died (possibly born c. 628 BCE—died c. 551 BCE)–are uncertain. The religion, Zoroastrianism, relies on an ancient sacred text called the Avesta, which contains sections called “Gathas,” or hymns, which many consider Zoroaster to be author. According to Encyclopædia Britannica Online, “In more recent times the study of Zoroastrianism has played a decisive part in reconstructing the religion and social structure of the Indo-European peoples. Though Zoroastrianism was never, even in the thinking of its founder, as aggressively monotheistic as, for instance, Judaism or Islam, it does represent an original attempt at unifying under the worship of one supreme god a polytheistic religion comparable to those of the ancient Greeks, Latins, Indians, and other early peoples. Its other salient feature, namely dualism, was never understood in an absolute, rigorous fashion. Good and Evil fight an unequal battle in which the former is assured of triumph.” Read more about Zoroaster from the books and databases available via the library or from the link listed below:
Religions of Iran: from prehistory to the present by Richard Foltz (2013).
Heirs to forgotten kingdoms: journeys into the disappearing religions of the Middle East by Gerard Russell (2014).
“Zoroastrianism”. Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online.Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2015. Web. 12 Nov. 2015 http://www.britannica.com/topic/Zoroastrianism