But now the worshiper of the vile Olympian divinities, whose obscene lives must have been shocking to every pious man, was brought in contact with a grand, a solemn, a consistent religious system having its foundation on a philosophical basis.

Persia, as is the case with all empires of long duration, had passed through many changes of religion.

She had followed the Monotheism of Zoroaster; had then accepted Dualism, and exchanged that for Magianism.

At the time of the Macedonian expedition, she recognized one universal Intelligence, the Creator, Preserver, and Governor of all things, the most holy essence of truth, the giver of all good.

He was not to be represented by any image, or any graven form.