Indo-Iranian religion, founded by Zoroaster or Zarathustra, c. 6th century BC. The dominant religion of Persia until the rise of Islam, Zoroastrianism is now largely confined to the Parsi community of Bombay. Its scriptures are know as the Avesta . It maintains a dualistic doctrine, contrasting the force of light and good in the world (Ahuramazda ) with that of darkness and evil (Ahriman, or Angra Mainyu ). Offshoots of Zoroastrianism include Mithraism and Manichaeanism . Zoroastrianism entered the western tradition as an influence on Judaism, and hence on Middle Platonism.
Philosophy dictionary. Academic. 2011.