Manichaeism

Timeline

1. c. 240–276Ctesiphon · Sasanian EmpireWith Sasanian court support Mani preached openly, established a two-tier hierarchy of elect and hearers, and compiled seven scriptures in Syriac, Parthian, and other languages, laying the foundation for the community's organization and doctrines.
2. c. 276–350Eastern provinces of the Roman Empire · LevantAfter Mani's martyrdom the community spread along trade routes and embassy networks into eastern Rome, North Africa, and Central Asia, forming communities in Egypt, Syria, and elsewhere, and engaged in fierce theological disputes with Christianity and Zoroastrianism.
3. c. 350–450Rome · ItalyEmperors such as Theodosius I issued anti-heresy edicts, and the Roman church also declared Manichaeism heretical; western communities were systematically suppressed, and the organization went underground or perished.
4. c. 450–500Samarkand · UzbekistanManichaeism in the Mediterranean world survived in name only, while residual influence persisted in Central Asia and along the Silk Road; some doctrinal elements were absorbed by later religious movements, and the original community organization gradually disintegrated.