Strange and Unusual Stories Around the World

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.

Xerxes, Darius's successor, provoked the first signs of trouble for the Persian Empire when he tried to extend Achaemenid power into Europe by invading Greece. The disunited Greek city-states came together in face of the common threat and inflicted a stunning defeat on the huge Persian force, destroying its navy at the Battle of Salamis and its army at Plataea. Xerxes was forced to withdraw, and the Persians' formidable reputation was shattered; although their army would win later battles, there were no more attempts at territorial expansion.

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.