The religion was founded in the early Sasanian Empire by Zaradust-e Khuragen, a Zoroastrian mobad who was a contemporary of Mani (d.
[1] However, it is named after its most prominent advocate, Mazdak, who was a powerful and controversial figure during the reign of Emperor Kavad I (r. 498–531).
It taught that there were two principles, light and dark (good and evil) that merged at a primordial time creating the universe.
Acts such as murder and killing animals for food or sport were forbidden, as was eating meat.
[citation needed] The movement also believed in the holding of all things in common to reduce greed.