According to the Zoroastrian tradition, a spiritual conflict is taking place in the universe between Ahura Mazda (the Wise Lord) and Angra Mainyu (the Evil Spirit), who created chaos and disorder. To win this battle, it was necessary to establish a balance between life and death, happiness and suffering. As such, the Sasanians developed a religious system that emphasized sexual ethics as a way to maintain this equilibrium.
During their time, marriages were arranged to ensure continuity within noble families, but they also served another purpose. Since procreation was essential for creating new souls, marriage represented an act of creation itself, and both partners had to be conscious of their actions during the process. In addition, the ritual consummation of the union symbolically recreated the cosmic union between heaven and earth. This belief is evident in the artworks depicted on rock reliefs showing couples engaged in lovemaking.
The concept of purity was central to the Sasanian religion. Sexual contact could defile the body if performed outside of marriage or without the proper mindset, and thus create imbalance in the world. Women were seen as more vulnerable to impurity because of their menstrual cycles and childbirth. Still, some religious texts suggest that women's bodies possessed special powers that could help defeat evil spirits and restore order to the cosmos.
Intercourse between husband and wife was considered sacred, so much so that other types of sex were frowned upon. Adultery and homosexuality were considered sins against nature and could lead to spiritual contamination.
These practices were not uncommon among the upper classes, who sought to satisfy their desires through prostitution, which was commonplace in Sasanian society.
Sexual ethics were tied to larger social issues, including warfare. The Sasanians believed that sexual promiscuity led to moral decay and weakened the army's ability to fight external enemies. Consequently, they promoted monogamy and fidelity within marriages to maintain the strength of the state.
The Sasanians developed a complex system of sexual ethics based on their Zoroastrian faith, which linked the cosmic battle between good and evil with human behavior. Throughout history, this legacy has influenced many religions and cultures, such as Islam, Judaism, Christianity, and even modern-day Iran.
How did Sasanian religion link sexual ethics to the cosmic battle between good and evil?
Sexual ethics was one of the key components that linked the beliefs of the Sasanians with their notion of the cosmic battle between good and evil. The Zoroastrian religion taught that sexual intercourse should only take place within marriage as it was believed to be one of the most sacred acts that can bring about life and create new members for society. This idea was deeply ingrained into the Sasanian culture and shaped their views on morality and behavior.