Zoroastrianism Survives

[WestVirginiaRebel]

Is there a way that Zoroastrianism could have survived by moving into Eastern Europe or perhaps Asia after the 7th Century and remain one of the world's great religions? What might its impact on Bhuddism and Hinduism and vice versa have been as a result?

[NomadicSky]

Really interesting if it replaced Christianity in Europe and Christianity survives as a tiny little religion practiced in Italy.

[stevep]

Originally Posted by WestVirginiaRebel

Is there a way that Zoroastrianism could have survived by moving into Eastern Europe or perhaps Asia after the 7th Century and remain one of the world's great religions? What might its impact on Bhuddism and Hinduism and vice versa have been as a result?

WestVirginiaRebel

Difficult to see it making headways in Europe as the sections it has any real contact with are already firmly in the grip of Christianity, which see it as the great enemy. Possibly if say during their alliance the Avars converted, or at least provide refuge for exiled Zoroastrians. Although given the difficulty of reaching there and the relative tolerance of the early Caliphate that seems unlikely.

If you really want a prominent Zoroastrianism which is displaced from its Iranian heartland possibly the best bet is some earlier butterfly that means its fairly well established in the Turkish steppes to the east before Iran falls to the Arabs. [Or possibly some inspiring leader escaping from the Iranian plateau and organises a powerful state in the east which prevents Islam penetrating the area.

As to the 2nd part of you're post I don't really know what the impact would be on other eastern faiths. Probably quite a lot of complex options.

Steve

[RBC]

Zoroastrianism still exists in India's Parsi community. Find some way for them to build a statelet along the way that thrives on trade, and spreads the community far and wide in the indosphere.