Which monotheistic religion came first

This religion was likely similar to early forms of Hinduism. According to Zoroastrian tradition, Zoroaster had a divine vision of a supreme being while partaking in a pagan purification rite at age Zoroaster began teaching followers to worship a single god called Ahura Mazda. In the s, Russian archaeologists at Gonur Tepe, a Bronze Age site in Turkmenistan, discovered the remains of what they believed to be an early Zoroastrian fire temple.

The temple dates to the second millennium B. It was the state religion of three major Persian dynasties. By most accounts, Cyrus was a tolerant ruler who allowed his non-Iranian subjects to practice their own religions.

The beliefs of Zoroastrianism were spread across Asia via the Silk Road , a network of trading routes that spread from China to the Middle East and into Europe. Some scholars say that tenets of Zoroastrianism helped to shape the major Abrahamic religions—including Judaism , Christianity and Islam —through the influence of the Persian Empire. Zoroastrian concepts, including the idea of a single god, heaven, hell and a day of judgment, may have been first introduced to the Jewish community of Babylonia , where people from the Kingdom of Judea had been living in captivity for decades.

When Cyrus conquered Babylon in B. Many returned home to Jerusalem , where their descendants helped to create the Hebrew Bible. Over the next millennia, Zoroastrianism would dominate two subsequent Persian dynasties—the Parthian and Sassanian Empires—until the Muslim conquest of Persia in the seventh century A. The Muslim conquest of Persia between and A. The Arab invaders charged Zoroastrians living in the Persia extra taxes for retaining their religious practices and implemented laws to make life difficult for them.

Over time, most Iranian Zoroastrians converted to Islam. Parsi are followers of Zoroastrianism in India. According to Parsi tradition, a group of Iranian Zoroastrians emigrated from Persia to escape religious persecution by the Muslim majority after the Arab conquest.

Experts speculate that the group sailed across the Arabian Sea and landed in Gujarat, a state in western India, sometime between and A. The Parsi are an ethnic minority in India and Pakistan. Today there are about 60, Parsi in India and 1, in Pakistan. The Faravahar is an ancient symbol of the Zoroastrian faith. It depicts a bearded man with one hand reaching forward. He stands above a pair of wings that are outstretched from a circle representing eternity. Fire is another important symbol of Zoroastrianism, as it represents light, warmth and has purifying powers.

Some Zoroastrians also recognize the evergreen cypress tree as a symbol of eternal life. Zoroastrian places of worship are sometimes called fire temples. Each fire temple contains an altar with an eternal flame that burns continuously and is never extinguished.

According to legend, three ancient Zoroastrian fire temples, known as the great fires, were said to have come directly from the Zoroastrian god, Ahura Mazda, at the beginning of time. Archaeologists have searched for these places, though it's unclear whether the great fires ever existed or were purely mythical. There corpses were exposed to the elements—and local vultures—until the bones were picked clean and bleached. Then they were collected and placed in lime pits called ossuaries.

Dakhmas have been illegal in Iran since the s. Many Zoroastrians today bury their dead beneath concrete slabs, though some Parsi in India still practice sky burials. A dakhma remains in operation near Mumbai, India, for example. Many Europeans became familiar with Zoroastrian founder Zarathustra through the nineteenth century novel Thus Spoke Zarathustra by German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. In it, Nietzsche follows the prophet Zarathustra on his travels.

British musician Freddie Mercury , lead singer for the rock band Queen, was of Parsi descent. Mercury, born Farrokh Bulsara, practiced Zoroastrianism. American novelist George R. Zoroaster; BBC. What was the cause of its appearance'.

What was the first monotheistic religion? What was the cause of its appearance? Tips , 11 Apr. We use cookies to give you the exceptional user experience. Staying on the website assumes that you agree to our Cookies Policy.

Rate the answer:. Views: Check them out. An answer to this question is provided by one of our experts who specializes in history. Let us know how much you liked it and give it a rating. Cite this page Select a citation style:. References Academic. Reference Academic.

Bibliography Academic. Work Cited "What was the first monotheistic religion? What was the commerce and slave trade compromise? Define Filial Piety. Check the price of your paper. Your message. Your name. Your email. Ask Question. Staying on the website assumes that you agree to our Cookies Policy Ok.