Zoroaster (Zarathustra)
~1500–~500 BCE (debated) · Persian/Iranian · Ancient Persia
Known for: Founded Zoroastrianism — the first major monotheistic religion, which invented heaven, hell, angels, demons, and the cosmic battle between good and evil
Zoroaster (Zarathustra) was an ancient Persian prophet who founded Zoroastrianism, arguably the world's first monotheistic religion. His teachings centered on Ahura Mazda (the one God) battling Angra Mainyu (destructive spirit) — a cosmic dualism that influenced Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Concepts of heaven, hell, angels, demons, a savior figure, and final judgment likely originated in Zoroastrianism.
Zoroastrianism was the state religion of three successive Persian empires for over 1,000 years. Today, approximately 100,000-200,000 Zoroastrians remain, mostly Parsis in India.
Browse all 1,000 figures by category
Enable JavaScript to view the full "if they lived today" Q&A and personality profile.