The Origins of Philosophy

The Persian Empire holds a significant place in the history of philosophy. The Persians were a civilization in interaction with the Ancient Greek world and were associated with Greek philosophy. Particularly from the late 6th century BCE onwards, the expansion of the Persian Empire increased cultural exchanges, which influenced philosophical thought. However, Persian philosophy developed differently from Ancient Greek philosophy, and its contributions in this field are less documented. It's acknowledged that Persians had a more dominant state structure, while Ancient Greece had a more liberated society and state. Hence, the limited progression of philosophy in Persia finds a logical ground.

Persians did address thoughts and philosophical matters within their local contexts, yet information in this domain is limited.

Figures that influenced the history of philosophy:

Zoroaster (Zarathustra)
A figure deeply involved in Persian mythology and thought.

Ctesias
An ancient Greek physician and historian who left writings about the Persian Empire.

Mani
The founder of Manichaeism, a religion that held significant influence in the Persian world.

Xenophon
A Greek writer and soldier with works concerning the Persian Empire.

Herodotus
His work "Histories" details the history and culture of the Persian Empire.

Findings on Individuals:
The archaeological remnants or concrete traces of Zoroaster, Mani, and such significant thinkers are quite limited. Their philosophical views have mostly been transmitted through written works and other ancient sources.

However, archaeological excavations from the era of the Persian Empire have unveiled remnants of Persian architecture and art, palace ruins, temples, reliefs, and inscriptions. These findings reflect the structural and artistic legacy of the Persian Empire, serving as crucial sources to comprehend the cultural and social structure of that period.

Persian Mythologies:
Persian mythology is a belief system derived from Zoroastrianism and the cultural structure of the Persian Empire. In this belief system, Ahura Mazda represents goodness, while Ahriman symbolizes evil. The struggle between good and evil lies at the core of Zoroastrian belief. Apart from this, mythological beings and symbols are also present in Persian mythology."