Tours of Hell in the Judeo-Christian and Zoroastrian Traditions

The Apocalypses of Peter and of Paul, as well as the Acts of Thomas, feature a visit of the underworld by their protagonist. The parallel has long been noted with the Book of Ardā Wīrāz; contrary to what has often been claimed, however, the origin of this trope can be traced in Iranian literature back to the Achaemenid period, whereas it only appears in Judeo-Christian literature at a time when Zoroastrian theological themes were exerting a discernible influence on it.