Kartir's Inscription at Naqsh-e Rostam: Zoroastrian Orthodoxy's Birth

In third-century Persia, the Zoroastrian priest Kartir rose from humble mobad to powerful advisor under four Sassanid kings. His autobiographical inscription at Naqsh-e Rostam, carved high on a cliff face, records a purge of Manichaeans, Buddhists, Jews, Christians, and 'heretical' Zoroastrians. This episode examines how Kartir used state power to enforce religious orthodoxy, persecute Mani and his followers, and transform Zoroastrianism into a tool of imperial control. We explore Kartir's self-promotion, his role in the execution of Mani, and the lasting impact of his policies on the Sasanian Empire's relationship with religious minorities. Specific focus on the Ka'ba-ye Zartosht inscription, the mobad hierarchy, and the concept of xwedodah (next-of-kin marriage) that Kartir championed. #Kartir #Naqsh-eRostam #Zoroastrianism #SassanidEmpire #Mani #Manichaeism #Mobad #Ka'ba-yeZartosht #ShapurI #BahramII #Persecution #ReligiousOrthodoxy #Xwedodah #Avesta #Denkard #History #FexingoHistory #Sasanian Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo