A research on the Gathas of Zarathustra

Zoroastrianism, which emerged in the Iranian culturel basin, has a history of nearly 3000 years. It is ranked among monotheist religions and it has been influential in the religious, cultural and social structure of Iran, Middle East and Central Asia. Zoroastrianism bears agricultural and nomadic traditions of the archaic Aryans and it has idiosyncratic theological, ritualistic, law, eschatological and moral features. It has survived by its monotheist structure, dualist understanding and conservative tradition until today. Zoroastrianism has regressed after the collapse of the Sasanians. It has turned into a national religion and sustains its existance in Iran, India and diaspora. Avesta and the Zends are main sources in understanding the transformations of Zoroastrianism and its effects to other religions and cultures. And its internal changes, trasformation and differentiation may be grabbed in the Gathas. The modern Zoroastrianism of today is based on the religious mentality of the Gathas.