Mithraism and Christianity   The Mithraic branch of Zoroastrianism also heavily influenced Christianity  It should not be neglected that Aramaic was the language of administration of the Persian empire and it is the same language used to write the bible  Zoroastrianism was the state religion of a large and continious empire in based out of Mesopotomia and Iran for up to  years with brief periods of Selucid and Parthian rule  This religion had a tremendous influence on all middle eastern culture and thought for the next  years  Monotheism the prayer  times a day the resurrection judgement day the saviour Saoshyant in Persian its originally a Persian word   If you need references read these books  There are many many more  Zoroastrianism a Shadowy but Powerful Presence in the JudaeoChristian World Mary Boyce London   and   Peakes Commentary on the Bible Matthew Black and HH Rowley ed Revised edition NYNelson  section b