From Polytheism to Monotheism: Zoroaster and Some Economic Theory

Abstract The prophet Zoroaster founded the first monotheistic religion in history, which once rose to great imperial status and still survives unchanged today despite centuries of Muslim pressure. Unlike founders other religions after him, he achieved this not through overthrow original Iranian polytheism but its deep reform—a strategy that made acceptance easier ensured a continuing role for priests. Monotheistic reform is thus third way out ancient Indo-European polytheism, besides extinction Greco-Roman case mutation into sectarian theism Indian case. This paper surveys story offers two economic models account key factors transition monotheism possible: theological structure priesthood.