Group items tagged

An extraordinary fusion of Gothic and Art Nouveau in style, the model was painted in vibrant colors that further enhanced the exuberant design. The plans called for spotlights to direct shafts of light into parts of the interior. Three sets of bell towers, housing both manually operated and electronically controlled tubular bells, were to be topped by stone statues of cherubim with wings that would move in the wind.

Zarathustra had a religious vision in which he received the basic tenets of his creed. He then set out to preach the word, but was forced to flee his homeland because of his unorthodox views. He made his most important convert in 588BCE in the person of King Vishtaspa, ruler of a minor kingdom in eastern Iran. Thereafter he was able to count on state support in spreading his message. He is said to have died at the age of seventy-seven in 551BCE.