Not content with establishing community of property and of women among themselves, the sectaries claimed the right to plunder the rich at their pleasure, and to carry off for the gratification of their own passions the inmates of the most illustrious harems.

In vain did the Mobeds declare that the new religion was false, was monstrous, ought not to be tolerated for an hour.

The followers of Mazdak had the support of the monarch, and this protection secured them complete impunity.

Each day they grew bolder and more numerous.

Persia became too narrow a field for their ambition, and they insisted on spreading their doctrines into the neighboring countries.