# Zoroaster and the Gathas (c. 1,200 BCE)

URL: https://allhistories.com/iran/timeline/-1200-zoroaster-and-the-gathas
Location: Eastern Iran, Greater Khorasan
Themes: Religion

The prophet Zarathustra (Zoroaster) composes the Gathas, hymns in Old Avestan that later form the core of the Avesta, preaching worship of Ahura Mazda and the struggle between truth and falsehood. His date and homeland are disputed: estimates range from about 1500 to 500 BCE, and many scholars favour the late second or early first millennium BCE in eastern Iran.

## Why it matters
Zoroastrianism became the defining religion of ancient Iran and influenced later monotheistic and dualistic thought.

Ruler at the Time: [Untash-Napirisha](https://allhistories.com/iran/rulers/untash-napirisha)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Zoroaster](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoroaster)
- [Wikipedia — Gathas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gathas)
- [Wikipedia — Zoroastrianism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoroastrianism)
- [Encyclopaedia Iranica: Zoroaster i. The name](https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/zoroaster-i-the-name)
- [Wikipedia — Elam & Bronze Age Iran (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elam)