Mazdak

Mazdak
مزدک
Illustration of the execution of Mazdak from a copy of the Shahnameh
Died	c. 524 or 528
Cause of death	Execution
Nationality	Iranian
Citizenship	Sasanian Empire
Occupation	Mobad
Years active	c. 480s - 520s
Known for	Mazdakism
Religion	Zoroastrianism

Mazdak (Persian: مزدک, Middle Persian: 𐭬𐭦𐭣𐭪, also Mazdak the Younger; died c. 524 or 528) was an Iranian Zoroastrian mobad (priest) and religious reformer who gained influence during the reign of the Sasanian emperor Kavadh I. He claimed to be a prophet of Ahura Mazda and instituted social welfare programs.