Ancient Persia Religion

The Persians, like other Indo-European groups such as the Medes and Scythians were originally polytheists. They worshipped numerous gods associated with natural phenomena such as the moon and the sun, fire, wind and water. Their religious practices included, animal sacrifice, a reverence for fire and the drinking of a natural intoxicant made from the juice of the haoma plant. Around 600 B.C. the prophet and teacher Zoroaster, founded a new religion, Zoroastrianism. Zoroaster, also known by the Greek name Zarathrustra, wrote down his beliefs in a sacred book known as the "Zend Avesta".