Zoroastrianism Viraf Namag. All Middle Persian texts written on Zoroastrianism during this time period are considered secondary works on the religion, and not scripture. Nonetheless, these texts have a strong influence on the religion. Zoroastrianism was founded by Zoroaster (or Zarathustra), later deemed a prophet, in ancient Iran. The precise date of the founding of Zoroastrianism is uncertain. Zoroaster was born in either Northeast Iran or Southwest Afghanistan. He was born into a culture with a polytheistic religion, which included animal sacrifice and the ritual use of intoxicants, quite similar to early forms of Hinduism in India. Zoroaster's birth and early
Zarathustra (horse) Zarathustra (horse) Zarathustra (1951–1967) was an Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He won races over distances ranging from five furlongs to two and a half miles, but was especially effective over extended distances. Zarathustra was bred by Sir Harold Gray at Graymount in Antrim, Northern Ireland in 1951. When Gray died later the same year, the ownership of his horses, including the black foal who would become known as Zarathustra passed to his son, the writer and philosopher Terence Gray (Wei Wu Wei). Gray declined several offers to buy the colt and sent him to be trained in Ireland by