the evil god of the ancient Persians. The Persian Magi held two principles; a good demon, or god, and an evil one: the first the author of all good, and the other of all evil: the former they supposed to be represented by light, and the latter by darkness, as their truest symbols. The good principle they named Yezad or Yezdan, and Ormazd or Hormizda, which the Greeks wrote Oromazes; and the evil demon they called Akrimau, and the Greeks Arimanus. Some of the Magians held both these principles to have been from all eternity; but this sect was reputed heterodox: the original doctrine being, that the good principle only was eternal, and the other created.

—Plutarch (De Iside et Osiride, p. 369.) gives the following account of the Magian traditions in relation to these gods, and the introduction of evil into the world, viz. That Oromazes consisted of the most pure light, and Arimanus of darkness; and that they were at war with each other: That Oromazes created the gods; the first, the author of benevolence; the second, of truth; the third of justice, riches, and the pleasure which attends good actions; and that Arimanus made as many, who were the authors of the opposite evils or vices: that then Oromazes, triplicating himself, removed as far from the sun as the sun is from the earth, and adorned the heaven with stars, appointing the dog star for their guardian and leader: that he also created 24 other gods, and enclosed them in an egg; but Arimanus having also made an equal number, these last perforated the egg, by which means evil and good became mixed together. However, the fatal time will come, when Arimanus, the introducer of plagues and famine, must be of necessity utterly destroyed by the former, and annihilated; then the earth being made plain and even, mankind shall live in a happy state, in the same manner, in the same political society, and using one and the same language. Theopompos writes, that, according to the Magians, the said two gods, during the space of 3000 years, alternately conquer, and are conquered; that for other 3000 years, they will will wage mutual war, fight and destroy the works of each other, till at last Hades (or the evil spirit) shall perish, and men become perfectly happy, their bodies needing no food, nor casting any shadow, i.e. being perfectly transparent.