Zoroaster, in a popular Parsi Zoroastrian depiction. This personified image of Zoroaster emerged in the 18th century, the result of an Indian Parsi Zoroastrian artist's imaginings; it quickly became a popular icon, and is now regarded by many Zoroastrians. A major personality in the history of the religions of the world, Zoroaster has been the object of much attention for two reasons.On the one hand, he became a legendary figure believed to be connected with occult knowledge and magical practices in the Near Eastern and Mediterranean world in the Hellenistic Age.

Old Iranian or ZARATHUSTRA (b. c. 628 BC, probably Rhages, Iran--d. c. 551, site unknown), Iranian religious reformer and founder of Zoroastrianism, or Parsiism, as it is known in India. The student of Zoroastrianism is confronted by several problems concerning the religion's founder. One question is what part of Zoroastrianism derives from Zoroaster's tribal religion and what part was new as a result of his visions and creative religious genius.