Zarathustra Zoroaster Zartosht

Zoroaster, the Iranian prophet and thinker, was the founder of Mazdaism and a teacher of the struggle between good and evil, emphasizing human freedom to choose one’s path consciously. The oldest source for understanding him is the Gathas, hymns composed by Zoroaster himself, which form the core of the Avesta. In these hymns, he calls people to truthfulness, wisdom, and the rejection of the worship of demonic forces. In later Avestan and Middle Persian texts, a more mythologized image of Zoroaster is presented.

The exact time and place of Zoroaster’s life remain uncertain. Most scholars date his life to around 1000 BCE and consider northeastern Iran—regions within the broader area of eastern Iran, such as parts of present-day Central Asia—as the most likely setting of his life. These uncertainties stem from the lack of direct historical evidence and the reliance of later sources on mythological traditions.

The name “Zoroaster” has an Iranian origin, but its precise meaning is debated. Most linguists agree that the second element of the name means “camel,” while various interpretations have been proposed for the first element. The epithet “Spitama” refers to his clan or lineage.

Zoroaster’s thought had a profound impact on Iranian culture and philosophy and influenced later intellectual traditions, including Greek and Western philosophy. He is sometimes regarded as the first philosopher to offer a coherent response to the problem of evil.