Zoroastrianism arose from the prophecies and teachings of Spitama Zarathustra, popularly known by his Greek name of Zoroaster. He lived from about 660 to 5836 B.C. Today Zoroastrianism has about 140,000 followers, living, not in Persia where the religion was founded, but in India where they are known as Parsees.
Traditionally, Zoroaster received and Recorded seven divine Revelations. However, the records were Destroyed when Alexander the Great conquered Persia, about 330 B.C. Attempts were later made to reconstruct the sacred scriptures of Zoroaster from scattered fragments. However, in the 7th century A.D., Persia was completely overwhelmed by Islam. Then all creeds except Islamism were abolished. The sacred writings of Zoroastrianism are the Avesta, or Law, and the appended commentaries, called the Zend.
Zoroaster Taught that the Universe is governed by the principles of Good, known as Ormuzd, or Ahura Mazda – and by Evil, known as Angra Manyu, or Ahriman. He taught that Ahura Mazda eventually will overcome Ahriman. Then the world will be freed from death and evil, to be ruled ever after by Ahura Mazda. He also taught that salvation cannot be brought to any man by priest or teacher. It can come only from within each human being, and only for himself.