Zaratustra

Zarathustra (also known as Zoroaster; uncertain birth and death dates, generally placed between 600 and 1000 BC) was the prophet and founding spirit of what is known as Zoroastrianism or Mazdaism. He preached a monotheistic religion based on the worship of Ahura Mazda, the supreme principle of good, and emphasized the importance of choosing between good and evil. His teachings, transmitted through sacred hymns called the Gathas, had a profound influence on later religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, especially in concepts such as cosmic dualism, the final judgment, and the immortality of the soul. The exact location of his birth and the date of his life are the subject of academic debate, with tradition placing him in ancient Persia or Media.