Zoroastrianism as State Religion of the Sasanian Empire

Timeline

1. c. 224–300Fars · FarsArdashir I elevated Zoroastrianism to state religion, using religious legitimacy to consolidate the new dynasty's rule and beginning to integrate priestly forces across the regions.
2. c. 300–400Ctesiphon · CtesiphonUnder Shapur II the office of the supreme priest (mobadan mobad) was established, doctrines were codified, sacrifices standardized, and a network of fire temples spread across the empire, institutionalizing the state religion system.
3. c. 400–500Iranian Plateau · Iranian PlateauIn the fifth century the empire used the state religion system to suppress heresies such as Manichaeism and the Mazdakite movement; the priestly class participated in judicial and tax administration, deeply fusing religion with governance.