A weird scenario that recently came to my mind. So,
Assume that Persia either manages to beat Byzantium into submission (or at least complacence) at the culmination of the Byzantine-Sassanian Wars in the early 7th century, thus attaining the top dog position in western and middle Asia for the time being, or manages to defend itself against the Muslim Arab invasions that occurred slightly later, and then exploits the rivalry between the Caliphate and Byzantium to its advantage. In either scenario, Persia continues to grow as a power while maintaining Zoroastrianism as the state-sanctioned religion.
The area of focus of this WI shall not be the Middle East, but rather lands further to its northwest -- namely, the north Eurasian steppe and, eventually, the lands of the now developing Slavic Russian tribes. Assume that Persian influence manages to reach that far. Come the time of Vladimir I or an equivalent figure, Zoroastrianism could be added to the roster of choices from which he and the Russian nobility could pick a new religion for their kingdom.
Could Zoroastrianism be attractive enough for Russia? It could be used to form a new local identity in contrast with rival political entities in the area (such as the Khazars, who could accept conversion to Islam as they come into conflict with Persia in the Caucasus), and could syncretize with Slavic Pagan beliefs to facilitate conversion, perhaps even forming something entirely new in the process.
What do you think?
Assume that Persia either manages to beat Byzantium into submission (or at least complacence) at the culmination of the Byzantine-Sassanian Wars in the early 7th century, thus attaining the top dog position in western and middle Asia for the time being, or manages to defend itself against the Muslim Arab invasions that occurred slightly later, and then exploits the rivalry between the Caliphate and Byzantium to its advantage. In either scenario, Persia continues to grow as a power while maintaining Zoroastrianism as the state-sanctioned religion.
The area of focus of this WI shall not be the Middle East, but rather lands further to its northwest -- namely, the north Eurasian steppe and, eventually, the lands of the now developing Slavic Russian tribes. Assume that Persian influence manages to reach that far. Come the time of Vladimir I or an equivalent figure, Zoroastrianism could be added to the roster of choices from which he and the Russian nobility could pick a new religion for their kingdom.
Could Zoroastrianism be attractive enough for Russia? It could be used to form a new local identity in contrast with rival political entities in the area (such as the Khazars, who could accept conversion to Islam as they come into conflict with Persia in the Caucasus), and could syncretize with Slavic Pagan beliefs to facilitate conversion, perhaps even forming something entirely new in the process.
What do you think?