Born in an aristocratic family, and probably a priest, he is said to have received a vision from Ahura Mazda (‘the Wise Lord’), one of many gods then worshipped, urging belief in one god. After King Vishtaspa’s conversion (c.588 bc) the religion spread. It is difficult to distinguish between his actual teachings and later legends, for the details of his life cannot be reconstructed with accuracy. He brought Ahura Mazda, the creator, to the centre of worship as the principle of ‘good’, but retained the ancient fire cult, while abolishing orgiastic sacrificial practices. The Gathas (hymns) contain his teachings, but they are unauthenticated.