- Reign of Vishtaspa. His conversion to Zoroastrianism helped strengthen the new religion. - Cyrus the Great’s reign. Known for ruling under Zoroastrian philosophies and permitting Jews to return to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon. - Darius the Great’s reign. He was known for his contribution to the Achaemenid empire expansion and his pious character that influenced others to support him and convert to Zoroastrianism. - Alexander the Great conquered most of Persian territory. Many Zoroastrian priests were killed and texts destroyed.
Map of Parthian Empire
Rule of the Parthians; known to govern within Zoroastrian law of asha (truth and righteousness)
Map of the Sassanian Empire
Rule of the Sassanians; known for redeveloping Zoroastrianism by the development of a single Zoroastrian church under Persian control (making it under Persian rule helped Zoroastrianism stay free from other influences from other religions at the time e.g. Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism, etc.), fire temples were promoted, the Zoroastrian calendar was reformed, etc.
- Zoroastrianism begins gradually more persecution and oppression. Muslim Arabs conquered Persia and treated Zoroastrians as dhimmis (people of the book) meaning that Zoroastrians may retain religious practices but must pay extra taxes. Other laws and social humiliations made followers convert to Islam or flee. Some Zoroastrians felt threatened to convert or accept the Islam culture and seeked refuge in central Iran called Yazd.
Some Zoroastrians immigrated to India and became known as Parsis or “Persians.”
Zoroastrian persecution renewed by the Ottoman Turks and the Mongolians (due to ruler, Gazan Khan converting to Islam).
Christian missionaries in India attacks Zoroastrian doctrines and followers had to re-examine and reform in order to for their religion to survive.
There are still Zoroastrians abiding in places such as Iran, India, and even the United Kingdom. However, it’s now one of the world’s smallest religions.