2nd Century BC? What about the Jews? While exact dates are not very well known, Jerusalem was invaded around 600 BC. The dead sea scrolls have been dated back to well before the 2nd Century BC.
You're right, my mistake. I had it in my head that Zoroastrianism was first, then looked up its origins to get a date, but didn't double-check it. It looks like Judaism pre-dates Zoroastrianism by a couple centuries, and Atenism (emerging in the 14th century BC) preceded both.
The argument still stands. We're still talking about 4 millennia of monotheism, preceded by 200 millennia of various other forms of religion.
The argument still stands. We're still talking about 4 millennia of monotheism, preceded by 200 millennia of various other forms of religion.