Mazdakism

Mazdakism was a Zoroastrian (Mazdayasnian) reform movement that is considered to have been founded by Mazdak, a mobad and Dorostdini, and which was active during the reign of Kavad I (488-531), the leadership of the movement being killed in 528-529 A.D. and the remaining movement persecuted, being considered extinct not long after. The essential tenets have been described as asceticism and primitive communism, the goal of the movement claimed to be the restoration of older, pure forms of Zoroastrianism, though it is suggested that the movement incorporated elements of Manichaeism into their praxis.

Notes

• A note from the translation of the Bahman Yast in the fifth volume of F. Max Muller's Sacred Books of the East (Oxford: Claredon Press, 1880): "Generally written Mazdak, a heretic whose teaching was very popular in the time of King Kêvâd (or Kavâd, A.D. 487-531). His doctrine appears to have been extreme socialism built upon a Mazdayasnian foundation. He was put to death by Khûsrô I, as hinted in the text." A further note refers to an account that "Khûsrô sent a message to the accursed Mazak, requiring him to reply to the questions of this priestly assembly on pain of death, to which he assented, and he was asked ten religious questions, but was unable to answer one; so the king put him to death immediately."