Supernatural Providence: God Leads
Notes:
Median Religion
The religion of the Medes is not precisely known. According to Herodotus, Histories I.101, the Magi were a Median tribe, but are priests in I.140. Moulton argues that the Magi are representative of autochthonous Median religion (Moulton, Early Zoroastrianism, 187–191). Bivar thinks Roman Mithraism is a descendant of Median religion (Bivar, “Mithraism”). Soudavar suggests Mithra was the main deity of the Medes (Soudavar, Aura of Kings, 84). Anahita—a west Iranian goddess influenced by depictions of Ishtar—probably either originated in or was first popular in Media (Moorey, “Aspects,” 224–225; de Jong, Traditions of the Magi, 105). A balanced view understands both the Magi and the Medes within the history of Zoroastrianism (de Jong, Traditions of the Magi, 387–394; de Jong, “The Contribution of the Magi”). Even though Herodotus, Histories 1.140 suggests the Magi practiced exposure, the antiquity and ubiquity of the practice is debated (Albert de Jong, Traditions of the Magi, 432–444). Medians buried their dead with grave goods (Mary Boyce, History of Zoroastrianism, 25–26).
“Magi” originally referred to priests in Persia (fifth century BC), who were traditionally associated with secret wisdom, magic, and astrology. In time, people of any ethnicity or location were called magi if they were involved in similar practices.