Zoroastrianism

With the exception of the religions Yahwism, Judaism, Zoroastrianism and Atenism that were monotheistic the majority of religions worshipped in the ancient Near East by the Sumerians, Egyptians, Hittities, Hurriasn, Assyrians, Babylonians, Canaanites, Greeks, Romans and Arabian Pantheons were polytheistic. Most of these cultures practiced similar purification and cleansing rituals, animal and human sacrifices, sacred prostitution, life after death and divination. Historical records discovered at…

Buddhism: (1 - 1750) Buddhism originated in N. India, and is traced back to Siddhartha Guatama’s search for an antidote to end suffering in the 5th century BCE. Early Buddhism was spread slowly along the trade routes by Buddhist merchants and monks. In the 3rd century CE, Ashoka, a ruler of the Mauryan Empire, converted to Buddhism. He did not forcefully convert his people, but he sent missionaries to East Asia and left edicts throughout the empire. Buddhism eventually made it’s way into places…

Religious expressions have appeared in all societies throughout history. One of the earliest belief systems was Shamanism. Shamanism if the belief to communicate or mediate between the world of spirits and the world of humans. These practices were believed to have been used to ward off misfortunes, such as poor harvests or disease. Animism, similar to Shamanism, was widespread among many societies in Africa and in the Pacific Islands of Polynesia. This belief was that gods and goddesses…

Mesopotamia was crudely shaped through cookie-cutter fashion of each empire’s peak, earning her the rightful place as a cradle of civilization. Her cultures changed with every dawning era, and her views grew more perceptive until a final, ethical Zoroastrianism. Whether Sumerian, Babylonian, Chaldean, or Persian, Mesopotamia cradled each, defining the meaning of civilization through life and the gods. Ultimately, introducing the basic way of life for Mesopotamia begins with the first of the…

own faith and rituals with music they bring their own style (Music of the Silk Roads). Religions via the Silk Road include: Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Manicheism, and Nestorianism. Buddhism is a nontheistic religion or philosophy that incorporates a variety of traditions, beliefs and spiritual practices largely based on the teachings attributed to Buddha. Zoroastrianism is one of the world’s oldest monotheistic religions. A monotheistic…

these major religions, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, and the Islamic faith are the most alike and intertwine the most in their beliefs. The Indian religion, Hinduism, is a religion with one supreme being called Brahman. The sacred Hindu text called “The Bhagavad-Gita,” which translates into “The Song of the Blessed Lord,” tells a story about Arjuna, a warrior who may…

Throughout history, certain religious views and customs affect a society. Indian, Persian, Germanic and African societies were socially, economically, and politically affected by the religions each society came into contact with. Many societies came to adopt outside religions and assimilated their preexisting religion to the new religion. This promoted cultural diversity and allowed for a range of values to be instilled throughout societies. Religion has the ability to affect certain aspects in…

the Persian, Judaic and Zhou civilizations. Religion was the center and base for government and social structure in Persia. The Persians began to develop their own ideology, referencing to the religious ideas of their ancestors. Post 1000 BCE, Zoroastrianism was created and developed into a formal religion by Zoroaster. This religion…

One of the mystery cults in Rome worshiped the Goddess Demeter. Demeter was a fertility Goddess, they also worshipped her daughter Persephone. Demeter embodied the harvest and would give a good harvest. Persephone embodied the spring and the bringing of life after it was killed in winter. They were worshiped by the Eleusinian Mysteries. Followers had to be initiated into the cult. Their beliefs focus on an afterlife and visions to the afterlife. It was important to form a connection with Demeter…

From 1567 to 330 B.C. humanity experienced many subsequent development as well as decline in its civilizations. Among these events emerged three colossal empires that had shaken the world and forever changed the course of human history. The Egyptian, Assyrian, and Persian Empires have been instrumental in influencing technology, religion, and ideas throughout the world. Various factors have contributed to the success and downfall of these giants. Each of the “World Powers” have similarities as…