How did Zoroastrianism benefit the rulers of Persia?
A. It encouraged people to pay tithes and taxes.
B. It established a moral order with the king as god’s earthly representative.
C. It led to the defeat of competing cultures and religions.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is B. It established a moral order with the king as god’s earthly representative.
Zoroastrianism, the ancient religion of Persia, played a significant role in supporting the legitimacy and authority of the Persian rulers, particularly the kings of the Achaemenid Empire. One of the core elements of Zoroastrian doctrine was the belief in the cosmic struggle between the forces of good (Ahura Mazda) and evil (Angra Mainyu). This dualistic view extended to earthly rulers, who were seen as divinely appointed agents of Ahura Mazda, meant to protect and uphold the moral order of the world.
By adopting Zoroastrianism as a state religion, Persian kings could consolidate their power by associating their rule with divine will. The kings, like Cyrus the Great and Darius I, were seen as the earthly representatives of Ahura Mazda. This religious authority bolstered their legitimacy and justified their rule, both in the eyes of their subjects and in the context of foreign diplomacy. It encouraged loyalty among the people by positioning the king as not just a political leader but also a spiritual figure, thus reinforcing his role in maintaining order and righteousness.
Furthermore, Zoroastrianism established a moral framework that guided the actions of both rulers and subjects. This framework emphasized justice, truth, and righteousness, values that were expected to be embodied by the king. In this way, the king’s authority was intertwined with religious and moral expectations, making rebellion or dissent not just a political act but a religious transgression as well.
In addition to reinforcing royal power, Zoroastrianism also provided a unifying force for the diverse peoples within the Persian Empire, fostering a sense of shared cultural and religious identity that contributed to the stability and success of the empire.