Zoroaster, a renowned figure in religious history, was a pivotal lawgiver and the founder of several religions, including Mazdaism, Magism, Parseeism, Fire-Worship, and Zoroastrianism. The term 'Zoroaster' is generic, and the age of the last Zoroaster remains uncertain, perhaps for this reason. The Greek writer Xanthus of Lydia, who first mentioned this significant lawgiver and religious reformer, set his era around six hundred years before the Trojan War. However, the actual timeline of that event is still a matter of debate.
Prominent figures such as Aristotle and Eudoxus believed Zoroaster lived about 6,000 years before Plato's era. Aristotle, a man known for accuracy, wouldn't make such a statement without valid justification. Berosus, on the other hand, identifies Zoroaster as a Babylonian king, around 2,200 years B.C. Yet, given that Berosus' manuscripts were handled by Eusebius, a known figure in modifying historical texts, his proposed original dates can be questioned. Haug suggests Zoroaster lived at least 1,000 years B.C... At the same time, Bunsen cites Zarathustra Spitama, another name for Zoroaster, as living under King Vistaspa around 3,000 B.C. and describes him as "one of the mightiest intellects and one of the greatest men of all time."
Despite these varying timelines and the virtually extinct Zend language, some scholars have taken it upon themselves to assign speculative dates to Zoroaster's era.
The Occult records, however, claim to hold accurate dates for each of the thirteen Zoroasters mentioned in the Dabistan. The teachings of these Zoroasters, particularly the last divine one, spread from Bactria to the Medes and later influenced the mystical teachings of the Mosaic doctrines under the name of Magism. Like Manu and Vyasa in India, Zarathustra is a generic term for influential reformers and lawgivers.
The Hierarchy, which began with the divine Zarathustra, as mentioned in the Vendidad, ended with a great mortal man bearing the same title who is now lost to history. As indicated by the Dabistan, there were many Zoroaster. According to the Secret Doctrine, Vol. II, the last Zoroaster established the Fire temple of Azareksh long before the recorded historical era. Had Alexander not destroyed many sacred and precious Mazdean works, perhaps history would have been more cautious about designating him as "the Great."
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