A brief introduction to Manichaeism
The four prophets of Manichaeism - Mani, Zoroaster, Buddha and Jesus, from the Chinese "Manichaean Diagram of the Universe". Manichaeism was founded by Mani who was probably born a Christian in the city of Ctesiphon (now in Iraq) in the Sassanian Empire. Manichaeism incorporated the precepts of Zoroastrianism, Christianity and Buddhism and spread rapidly along the eastern provinces of the Roman Empire where, along with Mithraism, it emerged as a chief competitor to Christianity. St. Augustine of Hippo was a Manichaean before his conversion to Christianity. The Sassanian emperor Shapur I (240-271) was an avid follower of Mani but after his death, the tide swiftly turned against the Manichaens. Varaharan (Bahram) I (271-274) was a devout Zoroastrian and follower and chief patron of the Zoroastrian priest...