Before the message of Zoroaster spread across the Iranian plateau and Aryan tribes brought their beliefs to this land, the religious landscape of the region was diverse and colorful. The indigenous peoples of this land had long believed in a collection of deities, spirits, and natural forces. These beliefs were rooted in their agricultural and pastoral lives and were intimately linked to the cycles of nature and their daily needs. In every valley and mountain, and in every river and spring, a specific deity was worshipped, symbolizing the life-giving or destructive powers of nature.
A significant part of these ancient religions was based on the worship of natural phenomena. The sun, as a source of light and warmth, the moon, as a guide for the night, stars, as celestial patterns, and clouds, as bringers of rain, all possessed a divine aspect. Mountains, rivers, and trees were also considered dwelling places for spirits and deities. This animistic worldview, meaning that spirit and soul exist in all parts of nature, helped the people of that era establish a deep connection with their surroundings and turn to these forces for blessings and protection.
Among these ancient beliefs, the cults of mother goddesses held a special place. Archaeological findings from across the Iranian plateau confirm the existence of countless figurines of goddesses associated with fertility, birth, and abundance. These goddesses symbolized the creative and life-giving feminine force that emerged from the earth and contributed to the fertility of the land, the proliferation of livestock, and the increase in human population. The worship of these goddesses reflected the importance of agriculture and survival in early societies.
One of the most prominent examples of these pre-Aryan civilizations was Elam, which had roots in southwestern Iran. The Elamite religion was very rich and complex and included a pantheon of numerous gods. Deities such as Humban (god of the sky and lord of the gods), Kiririsha (the great mother goddess, who was very popular), and Inshushinak (the patron god of Susa and judge of the dead) were among the most important Elamite gods. Religious ceremonies and sacrifices played an important role in Elamite life, and they built magnificent temples to worship their gods.
Furthermore, the worship of ancestors and rituals related to the dead also formed an important part of these ancient beliefs. People believed that the spirits of ancestors continued to watch over the living after death and could influence their destiny. Therefore, funeral and memorial rites for the deceased were performed with great care and respect, and gifts were buried with the dead to be used in the afterlife. These practices were a sign of belief in some form of afterlife and a continued connection between the living and the dead.
Ritual ceremonies during this period often involved animal sacrifice, offering gifts to deities, and performing religious dances and songs. Specific symbols were also used in these rituals, each carrying a particular meaning. These customs served not only for worshipping the gods but also for strengthening social cohesion and transmitting cultural values from one generation to the next.
Given the proximity and cultural exchanges, Mesopotamian religious beliefs also influenced the religions of the Iranian plateau. Mesopotamian deities and religious concepts sometimes entered local Iranian pantheons directly or with modifications. These exchanges demonstrated the continuous flow of culture and belief among ancient civilizations and transformed the Iranian plateau into a treasury of religious experiences.
With the arrival of the Aryan tribes and the emergence of Zoroaster, these ancient beliefs did not disappear suddenly. In many cases, elements of these indigenous religions blended with the new beliefs and underwent syncretism. Some ancient deities, such as Mithra and Anahita, despite changes in meaning and function, maintained their place in the new religious system. This continuity and adaptation demonstrated the dynamism of Iranian culture, which was always ready to absorb and combine new elements with its ancient roots, and this paved the way for Cyrus the Great's policy of religious tolerance in the future.