Early Christian Views of Zoroaster and the Magi
Early Christian writers usually treated Zoroaster as a Persian figure tied to magic, astrology, and pagan lore. Clement of Alexandria, Origen, Arnobius, and Hippolytus are the main early witnesses in this set. The direct teaching is stronger on the Magi and magical arts than on Zoroastrian belief itself.
140 early-church witnesses · 260 source quotations · compared with Scripture
What did early Christians believe about zoroaster and Zoroastrianism?
Early Christian writers did not give a full teaching on Zoroaster or Zoroastrianism, but they often treated Zoroaster as a famous Persian Magus linked with magic, astrology, and pagan lore. Clement of Alexandria, Origen, Arnobius, and Hippolytus all mention Zoroaster or the Magi in ways that tie them to Persian learning, fire worship, secret books, or magical arts.
Clement also repeats stories about Zoroaster that sound legendary, such as rising from the pyre, so the material is not one simple historical view. The strongest evidence is about how Christians described Persian magi and Zoroaster in debates with pagans; direct teaching about Zoroastrian belief itself is thin and often indirect. Many more early Christian quotations, Bible passages, and source links are gathered below so you can study the evidence for yourself.
Key Takeaways
- Early Christians often linked Zoroaster with Persian magic and pagan learning.
- Clement of Alexandria repeats legendary stories about Zoroaster.
- Origen and Arnobius use the Magi as examples in debates about magic and false religion.
- The direct evidence about Zoroastrian beliefs is limited and mostly indirect.
Questions Answered by the Sources
Who did early Christians think Zoroaster was?
Early Christian writers usually treated Zoroaster as a Persian figure tied to the Magi and to magic. Clement of Alexandria calls him a Magus and a Persian, and Origen and Arnobius also place him in that world of pagan learning and magical reputation.
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Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Direct teaching
Pythagoras showed Zoroaster the Magus to be a Persian. Those who follow the heresy of Prodicus boast that they possess this man's secret books. Alexander, in his book On the Pythagorean Symbols, relates that Pythagoras was a pupil of Nazaratus the Assyrian. Some think that he is Ezekiel, but he is not, as will afterward be shown. And he maintains that, in addition to these, Pythagoras was also a hearer of the Galatae and the Brahmins. Clearchus the Peripatetic says that he knew a Jew who associated with Aristotle. Heraclitus says that the Sibyl spoke, not in a human way, but rather by God's help. They say, accordingly, that at Delphi a stone was shown beside the oracle. It is said that the first Sibyl sat on it, that she came from Helicon, and that she had been reared by the Muses. But some say that she came from Milea, being the daughter of Lamia of Sidon. And Serapion, in his epic verses, says that the Sibyl, even when dead, did not cease from divination. And he writes that what proceeded from her into the air after her death was what gave oracular utterances in voices and omens. And when her body was changed into earth, and grass naturally grew out of it, whatever beasts happene
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Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness
Zoroaster the Magus, Pythagoras showed to be a Persian.
Did early Christians link Zoroaster to magic and sorcery?
Yes. Arnobius calls him a Magian Zoroaster and puts him with other famous magical figures, while Origen says Celsus grouped the Persian Zoroaster with learned men who discussed hidden subjects. Hippolytus also names Zoroaster among figures tied to occult powers and pagan systems.
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Arnobius, Against the Heathen Direct teaching
Come then, let some Magian Zoroaster come from a far part of the world, crossing over the fiery zone, if we accept Hermippus as a reliable authority. Let these join him too: that Bactrian whose deeds Ctesias describes in the first book of his History; the Armenian, grandson of Hosthanes; and Pamphilus, the close friend of Cyrus; Apollonius, Damigero, and Dardanus; Velus, Julianus, and Baebulus; and if there is anyone else who is thought to have special power and reputation in the magical arts. Let them allow one of the people to fit the mouths of the mute for speaking, to open the ears of the deaf, to give the natural power of sight to those born without sight, and to restore feeling and life to bodies long cold in death. Or if that is too hard, and if they cannot give others the power to do such acts, let them do them themselves, and by their own rites. Whatever harmful herbs the earth brings forth from its depths, whatever powers those muttered words and accompanying spells contain, let them add these; we do not envy them. Let them gather those things; we do not forbid them. We want to test and find out whether, with the help of their gods, they can do what has often been done by
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Origen, Against Celsus Supporting witness
...ut of his list of learned men, while claiming that Linus, Musaeus, Orpheus, Pherecydes, the Persian Zoroaster, and Pythagoras discussed these subjects, and that their opinions were placed in books and so have been preserved down to the present time. And he has also intentionally failed to mention the myth, chiefly adorned by Orpheus, in which the gods are described as having human weaknesses and passions.
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Hippolytus, Refutation of All Heresies Direct teaching
...n Bumegas, Ostanes, Mercury Trismegistus, Curites, Petosiris, Zodarium, Berosus, Astrampsuchus, and Zoroaster. The left-hand power is lord of fire, and ignorance has called this one Vulcan, according to whose image were born Ericthonius, Achilles, Capaneus, Phaëthon, Meleager, Tydeus, Enceladus, Raphael, Suriel, and Omphale. There are three intermediate powers hanging from the air, authors of generation. Ignorance has been in the habit of calling these the Fates. According to the image of these were produced the house of Priam, the house of Laius, Ino, Autonoe, Agave, Athamas, Procne, the Danaides, and the Peliades. There is a hermaphrodite power, always remaining in infancy and never growing old, the cause of beauty, pleasure, maturity, desire, and concupiscence. Ignorance has been accustomed to call this Eros, according to whose image were born Paris, Narcissus, Ganymede, Endymion, Tithonus, Icarius, Leda, Amymone, Thetis, the Hesperides, Jason, Leander, and Hero. These are Proastioi up to Aether, for he also gives the book this title."
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Hippolytus, Refutation of All Heresies Supporting witness
The right-hand power has lordship over fruits. This one ignorance has denominated Mena, according to whose image were born Bumegas, Ostanes, Mercury Trismegistus, Curites, Petosiris, Zodarium, Berosus, Astrampsuchus, (and) Zoroaster.
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Origen, Against Celsus Supporting witness
Nay, he ranks the Magi also in the same category, from whom the art of magic derived its name and has been transmitted to other nations, to the corruption and destruction of those who employ it.
More related quotations from this section 5 shown
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Arnobius, Against the Heathen Supporting witness
52. Come, then, let some Magian Zoroaster arrive from a remote part of the globe, crossing over the fiery zone, if we believe Hermippus as an authority.
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Origen, Against Celsus Background
That the Persians hold the same notions is shown by Herodotus in these words: 'I know that among the Persians it is considered unlawful to erect images, altars, or temples;
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Cyprian, Treatises Background
and thence the Magi have a power either for mischief or for mockery, of whom, however, the chief Hostanes both says that the form of the true God cannot be seen, and declares that true angels stand round about His throne.
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Exodus 7:11 Background
Then Pharaoh summoned the wise men and the sorcerers, and they, the magicians of Egypt, also did the same by their secret arts.
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Acts 8:11 Background
And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
Did early Christians repeat legendary stories about Zoroaster?
Yes. Clement repeats stories that Zoroaster wrote secret books, died in battle, learned things in Hades, and rose from the funeral pyre in twelve days. That makes the Christian discussion here partly historical and partly legendary.
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Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness
Zoroaster, then, writes: These were composed by Zoroaster, the son of Armenius, a Pamphylian by birth: having died in battle, and been in Hades, I learned them of the gods.
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Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness
This Zoroaster, Plato says, having been placed on the funeral pyre, rose again to life in twelve days.
How did early Christians talk about the Magi in Jesus’ birth story?
The Bible passages speak of wise men from the east who saw the star, came to worship Jesus, and brought gifts. Early Christian writers such as Justin, Irenaeus, Peter of Alexandria, and Tatian use this story often, but the main page topic here is Zoroaster and Zoroastrianism, so these passages are background rather than the core claim.
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Matthew 2:1 Background
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
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Matthew 2:2 Background
Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
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Matthew 2:7 Background
Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared.
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Acts 11:26 Background
and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.
Common Questions
Did early Christians think Zoroaster was a magician?
Yes, many early Christian writers linked Zoroaster with magic or the Magi, especially in polemical passages from Clement, Origen, Arnobius, and Hippolytus.
Did early Christians discuss Zoroastrian beliefs directly?
Only a little. Most of the wording is about Zoroaster, the Magi, or magic, not a full description of Zoroastrian faith.
Source Index for Zoroaster and Zoroastrianism
The guided sections above show the strongest quotations. This compact index highlights 160 ranked source links from 260 compiled sources for deeper study.
Source index 160 ranked links shown
Early Christian Writings 80 shown of 140
Primary-source quotations from early Christian writers and church documents.
Bible Passages 80 shown of 120
Related Bible passages saved for comparison with the early Christian quotations.