Mani (c. 216-274 CE) was a Persian prophet who founded Manichaeism, a religion that drew on and synthesized elements of Zoroastrianism, Christianity and Buddhism into a dualistic system centered on a cosmic struggle between light and darkness. Born in Mesopotamia under Parthian and then Sasanian rule, he began preaching his teachings in his twenties and gained early favor at the Sasanian court, sending missionaries as far as Central Asia, India and eventually the Roman Empire. Later Sasanian religious authorities turned against him, and he died in prison, reportedly executed, under King Bahram I, but Manichaeism continued to spread widely for centuries afterward, becoming one of antiquity's most geographically extensive religious movements before its eventual decline.
Facts
Birth YearDay and month approximate; the lead gives "c. April AD 216". RoleIranian prophet and founder of Manichaeism, a religion prevalent across late antiquity. 1 BirthplaceCtesiphon (south of modern Baghdad), Mesopotamia, Parthian Empire 1 Death PlaceGundeshapur, Sasanian Empire (modern-day Iran) 1 Disputed
Death YearSources give two candidate death years, 274 or 277; 274 recorded here as the more commonly cited date. Role
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Source Wikipedia: Mani (prophet)
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Source Wikipedia: Mani (prophet)Lead paragraph of the cited Wikipedia articletier 2Quote, Lead paragraph of the cited Wikipedia article
Mani was born in or near Ctesiphon (south of modern Baghdad) in Mesopotamia, at the time part of the Parthian Empire.
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Mani (prophet)
WikipediaLead sentence
Mani (c. April AD 216 - 2 March AD 274 or 26 February AD 277) was an Iranian prophet and the founder of Manichaeism, a religion most prevalent in late antiquity.
Early life section
Mani was born in or near Ctesiphon (south of modern Baghdad) in Mesopotamia, at the time part of the Parthian Empire.
Death section
He died shortly after being imprisoned by Bahram I in Gundeshapur.
- Infobox/names section
Mani: Gender
Born in Mesopotamia under Parthian and then Sasanian rule, he began preaching his teachings in his twenties and gained early favor at the Sasanian court, sending missionaries as far as Central Asia, India and eventually the Roman Empire.
lead paragraph
Mani (;, 2 March AD 274 or 26 February AD 277) was an Iranian prophet and the founder of Manichaeism, a religion most prevalent in late antiquity.
In Era: Classical Antiquity, lead paragraph, lifespan
Infobox: born c. April AD 216; died 2 March AD 274 or 26 February AD 277 (aged 57-58 or 60-61)
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