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Single Idea 7347

[catalogued under 29. Religion / B. Monotheistic Religion / 3. Zoroastrianism]

Full Idea

Cyrus the Great was a Zoroastrian, believing in one, eternal, beneficent being, 'Creator of all things through the holy spirit'.

Gist of Idea

Zoroastrians believed in one eternal beneficent being, Creator through the holy spirit

Source

Paul Johnson (The History of the Jews [1987], Pt II)

Book Reference

Johnson,Paul: 'A History of the Jews' [Phoenix 1993], p.85


A Reaction

Is this the actual origin of monotheism, or did they absorb this idea from the Jews? The interesting bit is the fact that the supreme being (called Marduk) is 'beneficent', which one doesn't associate with these remote and supposed pagans.