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Religions / Iranian / Zoroastrianism /
Ahriman
Middle Persian: Angra Mainyu
In Zoroastrianism, the evil power.
Ahriman is the Avestan name for one of the two twin-spirits created by Ahura Mazda; the Middle Persian name was Angra Mainyu. Ahriman is presented in Avesta, the central collection of religious writings in the religion, as having chosen evil consciously, and by this act he created death. The central subject of Zoroastrian teaching and theology is the constant ongoing battle between Ahriman and Ahura Mazda.
The principal epithet of Ahriman was Druj, "The Lie". Druj was expressed by greed, wrath and envy. Ahriman created an army of demons to promote the many forms of Druj. In Zoroastrianism, it is expected that Ahriman finally will be defeated, that his demons will slaughter one another and he will be killed.
Modern Zoroastrianism has taken much focus away from the individual Ahriman, making evil a human quality. This promotes the monotheistic quality of Zoroastrianism.
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By: Tore Kjeilen
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