Arabic-Speaking Writer of the 10th Century Abu Mansur As-Saalibi about Religious and Political Events in the Sasanian Empire (Mazdakid Movement)

Abstract

Economic, political, and social exploitation in the Sassanian state, including in Azerbaijan, led to numerous religious and social movements of farmers and pastoralists against the official government. Although these protests took different forms, their essence was the same: a heavy tax system, feudal exploitation, and feudal wars, which led to public dissatisfaction with this situation.
The Zoroastrian clergy of that time adjusted the principles of religion to suit their interests, subordinated it to their social and political interests, thereby causing serious discontent in society against official Zoroastrianism. Over time, the religious policies of the Sassanian kings and the unfair actions of the clergy led to the emergence of numerous religious reform movements. The movements of Manichaeism and Mazdakism were the main and most important protest movements of this period.