Zarathustra was the 3rd son in a family of five boys. His father was the chief of a local clan named the “Spitamas”, so Zoroasters’ ancestral name was Spitama. He received the name Zarathushtra only much later. It is believed that the name Zarathushtra might mean “possessor of old or yellow colored camels”, or perhaps “high priest”.

Legend says that while Zoroaster was still in his mothers’ womb he shone with an unearthly light and wherever his mother went she spread that light. The light kept on getting brighter and brighter till Zoroaster was finally born. It is said that he didn’t cry when he was born, but smiled. All nature rejoiced in his birth while the evil spirits were astounded.

Zoroaster lived in a world where superstition had overcome all reason and the evil spirits ruled. All his life Zoroaster knew that real God was heavenly being named Ahura Mazda. When Zoroaster turned fifteen years old, he left his home to search for the truth to life on this earth. Because he always dreamed and thought about the great one God (called Ahura-Mazda), one day, Ahura-Mazda’s messenger came to Zoroaster and told him to be the great Gods’ prophet and spread the new religion, Zoroastrianism, across Persia (mostly modern day Iran). At first people didn’t pay attention to Zoroasters’ preaching. Even his own family shunned him. But finally Zoroaster found his first convert in his cousin.

Soon the prophet somehow was able to receive an audience with the king and beg for freedom of preaching. The king not only granted this request but also converted himself and the entire court to this new faith. Zoroastrianism became Persia’s official religion.

Later Zoroaster founded many shrines to honor Ahura-Mazda. There were also many cults such as the Cult of Fire or the cult of Mithra, the sun god. The sign of Zoroastrian priesthood was a staff with the head of a bull on top. Followers of Zoroastrian religion believed that Ahura-Mazda was the center of all that is good, while a creature named Ariman was the embodiment of evil. They also believed that both good and evil spirits dominated the world. The great prophet Zoroaster died at about the age of 77. But he didn’t die a natural death. He was burned alive by enemies while praying in the fire temple. It was in about the year 550 B.C.

In modern times Zoroastrianism has almost completely died out and is no longer the main religion of modern Iran. Barely any people still remember Zoroaster and Ahura Mazda. Their place has been taken by the newer religion of Islam.