Mazdakism

Mazdakism(Persian:مزدکیه) was anIranianreligion, which was an offshoot ofZoroastrianism.

The religion was founded in the earlySasanian EmpirebyZardusht,a Zoroastrianmobadwho was a contemporary ofMani(d. 274).^[1]However, it is named after its most prominent advocate,Mazdak,who was a powerful and controversial figure during the reign of EmperorKavad I(r. 498–531).^[2]

Theology

Mazdakism was adualistic religionthat appeared to be influenced byManichaeism.It taught that there were two principles, light and dark (good and evil) that merged at a primordial time creating the universe. The Mazdakites worshipped the God of Light.^{[citation needed]}

Ethics

Mazdakism strongly promotedsimpleandpacifistliving. Acts such asmurderand killing animals for food or sport were forbidden, as was eating meat. Followers were to treat all people, even their enemies kindly.^{[citation needed]}The movement also believed inthe holding of all things in commonto reduce greed.^[3]

Citations

^Crone 2012,p. 22.
^Daryaee 2014,pp. 26–29.
^Daryaee, Touraj (3 November 2022)."Mazdak and Late Antique 'Socialism'".cambridge.org/core/.Retrieved24 July2024.According to sources in Middle Persian of the late Sasanian Empire (AD 224–651), Mazdak promoted the sharing of women and property.

Cited sources

Crone, Patricia (2012).The Nativist Prophets of Early Islamic Iran: Rural Revolt and Local Zoroastrianism.Cambridge University Press. pp. 1–543.ISBN 9781139510769.
Daryaee, Touraj(2014).Sasanian Persia: The Rise and Fall of an Empire.I.B.Tauris. pp. 1–240.ISBN 978-0857716668.
Kreyenbroek, Philip G. (2012)."IRAN ix. RELIGIONS IN IRAN (1) Pre-Islamic".Encyclopaedia Iranica.Vol. XIII/4. pp. 432–439.Retrieved14 December2021.
Yarshater, Ehsan (1983).Cambridge history of Iran The Seleucid, Parthian and Sasanian periods.Cambridge.ISBN 978-0-521-24693-4.

General sources

Boyce, Mary(2001).Zoroastrians: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices.Psychology Press. pp. 1–252.ISBN 9780415239028.
Eichenberger, L. (2020)."Communist, Heretic, Rebel. Mazdak and the History of Religion".Zeitschrift für Religionswissenschaft.28(2): 237–258.doi:10.1515/zfr-2019-0029.S2CID 226223689.
Frye, R. N. (1983), "Chapter 4",The political history of Iran under the Sasanians,The Cambridge History of Iran,vol. 3, Cambridge University Press,ISBN 978-0-521-20092-9
Frye, Richard Nelson(1984).The History of Ancient Iran.C.H.Beck. pp. 1–411.ISBN 9783406093975.

ThisIranian history-related article is astub.You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it.

ThisZoroastrianism-related article is astub.You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it.

ThisSasanian Empire-related article is astub.You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it.

[FOOTNOTECrone201222-1] Crone 2012,p. 22.

[FOOTNOTEDaryaee201426–29-2] Daryaee 2014,pp. 26–29.

[3] Daryaee, Touraj (3 November 2022)."Mazdak and Late Antique 'Socialism'".cambridge.org/core/.Retrieved24 July2024.According to sources in Middle Persian of the late Sasanian Empire (AD 224–651), Mazdak promoted the sharing of women and property.

[1]

[2]

[3]

v t e Zoroastrianism
Primary topics	Ahura Mazda Zarathustra Asha Vohu Manah Persia/Iran Faravahar Avestan
Divine entities	Amesha Spentas Yazatas Ahuras Daevas Angra Mainyu
Scripture and worship	Avesta Gathas Ashem Vohu Ahuna Vairya Yenghe hatam Airyaman ishya Fire Temples 101 Names of Ahura Mazda Udvada Atash Behram Adur Burzen-Mihr Adur Farnbag Adur Gushnasp Cypress of Kashmar Yasna Vendidad Visperad Yashts Khordeh Avesta The Revayats Ab-Zohr Atash Behram
Accounts and legends	Dēnkard Bundahišn Book of Arda Viraf Book of Jamasp Story of Sanjan Chinvat Bridge Frashokereti Xrafstar Hamistagan Duzakh
Cities	Balkh Kashmar Yazd
History and culture	Parsis Zurvanism Mazdakism Khurramites Three Persian religions Calendar Festivals Marriage Burial
Adherents	Persecution in Armenia in Azerbaijan in India Irani Parsis in Iran in Iraq in Pakistan in United States
Lists	Fire temples in Iran Fire temples in India
Category