'The History of Persia, from the most early period to the present time: containing an account of the religion, government, usages and character of the inhabitants of that kingdom. By Colonel Sir John Malcolm, KCB, KLS Late minister plenipotentiary to the court of Persia from the supreme government of India. In two volumes.' [‎101] (140/730)

THE HISTORY OF PERSIA. 10]
doctrines of the Metempsychoses as taught by the Hindoos, and the chap, vi.
two principles of good and evil of Zoroaster, with the tenets of the
Christian religion*. Among many of the followers of the latter
faith, a belief was entertained of the early fulfilment of the promise
which Christ had made, to send a comforter after him. To gain these,
Mani boldly declared himself the Paraclete. He appears to have
trusted chiefly to his pencil for success: and his pain tings f were
deemed miraculous in countries where that art was hardly known.
This bold impostor made many converts, but was forced by Shah-
poor to fly from Persia, whence he went to Tartary and China},
and did not return till the reign of Baharam. That prince at first
showed a disposition to embrace his faith; though most authors con
tend this was a mere pretext, to lull Mani and his followers into a
fatal security. The result was of a nature to confirm this opinion :
Mani, and almost all his disciples, were put to death by order Qfp u ts Mani,
Baharam; and the skin of the impostor was stripped off, and hung}| ^
up at the gate of the City of Shahpoor§. Baharam only reigned death - '
three years and three months; during which, Persia enjoyed perfect
tranquillity.
* Sir William Jones inadvertently adds, " with several tenets of the Koran but
as Mani lived many years before Mahomed, he could not have borrowed from that
volume.—See Sir W. Jones's Works, Vol. VI. p. 601.
f To add to the effect of his doctrines and paintings, he withdrew for a period from
the world, and concealed himself in a cavern while he finished those works, which, on
his reappearance, he declared had descended to him from Heaven.
t According to some authors, he also visited India.
(| Zeenut-ul-Tuarikh.
§ In Pars, near Kazeroon, which appears to have been then the capital of the
empire.