What is Manichaeism?
[[Image:Manicheans.jpg|thumb|Manichaean priests, writing at their desks, with panel inscription in [[Uyghur]]. Manuscript from Khocho, [[Tarim Basin]].]] '''Manichaeism''' (in [[Modern Persian]] {{lang|fa|آیین مانی}} ''Āyin e Māni'') was one of the major [[Iran]]ian [[Gnosticism|Gnostic]] and [[dualism|dualist]] [[religion]]s. Originally, it came from commoners in the [[Sassanid Empire]]. Most of the original writings of the founding [[prophet]] [[Mani (prophet)|Mani]] ([[Syriac]], {{lang|syr|ܡܐܢܝ}}, c. AD 210–276) have been lost, but many translations and fragmentary texts have survived. Manichaeism was big between the third and seventh centuries. At its height, it was one of the most widespread religions in the world. Manichaean churches and scriptures existed as far east as [[China]] and as far west as the [[Roman Empire]]. Manichaeism appears to have died out before the sixteenth century in southern China. The original six sacred books of Manichaeism were written in [[Syriac language|Syriac]]. They were soon translated into other languages to help spread the religion. As they spread to the east, the Manichaean writings passed through [[Middle Persian]], [[Parthian language|Parthian]], [[Sogdian language|Sogdian]], and ultimately [[Uyghur language|Uyghur]] and [[Chinese language|Chinese]] translations. As they spread to the west, they were translated into [[Greek language|Greek]], [[Coptic language|Coptic]], and [[Latin]]. The spread and success of Manichaeism were seen as a threat to other religions, and it was widely persecuted in [[Christianity|Christian]], [[Zoroastrianism|Zoroastrian]], and later, [[Islam]]ic areas. [[File:State Religions 820 AD.png|400px|thumb|left|State religions in 820 AD - Uyghur Khaganate is Manichaean]] {{Classic World Religions}} {{Manichaeism footer}} [[Category:Esotericism]] [[Category:Manichaeism| ]]