The maintenance of the ruling class in the Achaemenid state (559- 330 BC) Between singularity and pluralism

Abstract

In this study, we will discuss the religion of the Achaemenid ruling class, and discuss the different opinions that described what this religion was, including that they were on the Zoroastrian religion, and an opinion says that they did not have a specific official religion, but worshiped multiple gods. At times they spread the main deity to them, Ahwaramzda, while recognizing other deities that were not mentioned. Rather, a general mention was made of them, and at other times, the deities spread Anahita at the expense of the other. At other times, the remembrance of the god Anahita disappeared, and the remembrance of the two deities remained Ahwaramzada and Mithra.