Quick Answer
Zoroastrianism — the ancient Iranian religion founded by Zarathustra — shares with Gnosticism a sharp dualism between light and darkness, good and evil. Scholars have debated whether Iranian dualism directly influenced Gnostic thought or whether the parallels reflect a common ancient Near Eastern inheritance.
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Quick Facts
- Zoroastrianism posits two primal principles: Ahura Mazda (good) and Angra Mainyu (evil)
- Gnostic dualism differs: it is not between two equal powers but between a true God and an ignorant lesser creator
- The clearest direct influence is in Manichaeism, which explicitly synthesised Gnostic and Zoroastrian elements
- Iranian influence likely reached Gnosticism via Judaism rather than directly