Persian literature in Western culture its narrative. Nietzsche, a radical opposer of Greek Metaphysical thought, was the author of the book "Thus Spoke Zarathustra", referring to the ancient Persian prophet Zoroaster, as the prophet of his philosophy. Nietzsche held very high interest and respect for Persians. For example, where he speaks about the Persian notion of history and "cyclical Eternal Time", he writes: "I must pay tribute to Zarathustra, a Persian, for Persians were the first who thought of history in its full entirety." and further adds: ""It was much more fortunate if Persians became masters (Herr) of the Greeks, than the very Romans." But
Zoroaster be the Avesta. Alternatively, he appears with a mace, the "varza"—usually stylized as a steel rod crowned by a bull's head—that priests carry in their installation ceremony. In other depictions he appears with a raised hand and thoughtfully lifted finger, as if to make a point. Zoroaster is rarely depicted as looking directly at the viewer; instead, he appears to be looking slightly upwards, as if beseeching. Zoroaster is almost always depicted with a beard, this along with other factors bearing similarities to 19th-century portraits of Jesus. A common variant of the Zoroaster images derives from a Sassanid-era rock-face carving.