Religion In The Ancient World example essay topic

From the time of hunter-gatherers, religion or some for of it has been the basis for social stability, structure and progress. Religion has given meaning to each and every person and civilization in the Ancient World, and the Persian Empire is of no exception to this rule. 539 B.C.E. marked one of the most influential and innovative periods in Mesopotamia with the introduction of the Persian Empire and its own personal religion. 539 B.C.E. marked the beginning of Persian rule and the end of Chaldean control.

Before 539 B.C.E., Chaldeans saw little or no pressure from any exterior forces or entities. However, nothing is perfect. Having little outer competition, the Chaldeans were faced with an equally malignant situation from within. Being constantly consumed and distracted by war from with amongst their own people, the Chaldeans had many of the resources directed to curtailing this issue.

Therefore, being tied up with inner issues, the Chaldeans were inevitably overtaken by the Persian Empire. Once conquering the Chaldeans and taking Babylon, the Persians became the power of the Mesopotamian region. With this widespread control, they soon became to be known as the super power of the Ancient World. However, this power was brandished in a new way that would set them aside from the previous inhabitants of the land. The philosophy, backed by the King Cyrus, was to allow all provinces and civilizations to maintain their own, as long as they adhere to the rules and regulations of the Persian Empire. Under the leadership of Cyrus, the Persians introduced a religious philosophy that would change all of the Ancient World.

The Persian Empire religious base was a crucially important factor in its success. The Persians introduced the first is what is now known as Axial religion. Axial religion is the belief that there is one universal god. This belief quickly influenced everyone throughout the Persian Empire. The religion itself is based on stories about someone who may or may not have lived. The individuals name was Zoroaster and he was speculated to have lived somewhere near northwestern Persia possibly in the seventh century B.C. and possibly as early as 1200 B.C. Opposing the ideals of the old Persian gods, Zoroaster proposed a belief that there is one god, named Ahuramazda, that should be coveted and adorned and subsequently wrote a book of preachings named Zend Avesta.

The religion sparked the birth of a dualistic religion. The dualistic religion believes that there is a heaven and hell and this philosophy invented new ideas and approaches in religion during this time. Using the idea of heaven and hell and the idea of light and darkness was new to all walks of life in the Mesopotamian area and thus it sparked many new influences and altercations in other religions. The religion itself also sparked a subset religion. In Zoroastrianism, Mithras is the Persian god of light and wisdom. Mithras is an assistant to Ahuramazda and a right hand angel of the God.

Soon afterwards and primarily on the western region of the empire, Mithras becomes its own religion. The story of Mithras reflects the story of Christ. Thus this reflection is proof that Persian rule during its time in Mesopotamia inspired changes and innovations through the Fertile Crescent. In conclusion, the Persian Empire came into power with an ideology of live and let live.

Introducing this philosophy, brought about prosperous times and set precedents unbeknownst to the ancient world. However, it's most apparent and substantial contribution to the ancient world came in the form of a dualistic, monotheistic religion that ultimately brought about new thinking and fresh ideas. With the introduction of Zoroastrianism, religion in the ancient world became influenced and as a result changed forever. Zoroastrianism birthed the Mithraism religion and eventually caused ripples in the religious foundations of each and every civilization to follow.