Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrianism, the first monotheistic religion in the region, grew to prominence in Azerbaijan against a background of largely pagan communities. Fire worship was commonplace in Zoroastrianism, and fire was considered to be a symbol of purity. Many fire temples were built throughout the eastern part of Azerbaijan, and many of their ruins survive to this day. Zoroastrianism was named after Zoroaster (also called, Zarathustra, Zardusht), a prophet who is widely believed to have been born in Azerbaijan.

The leading theory is that the word Azerbaijan is a later version of the word Atropatena, the name for the region that was named after the 4th -century-B.C.E. king Atropates. The name Atropates means ”protected by fire.“ Other theories also exist.