These excerpts from texts suggest continuity between Ahriman on the one hand and that of Pazuzu and Iblis on the other hand.
In this description of Ahriman by John R. Hinnels, two parallels emerge:
"He is the demon of demons, and dwells in an abyss of endless darkness in the north, the traditional home of the demons. Ignorance, harmfulness, and disorder are the characteristics of Ahriman. He can change his outward form and appear as a lizard, a snake, or a youth. His aim is always to destroy the creation of [Ahura Mazda] and to this end he follows behind the creator's work, seeking to spoil it. As Ahura Mazda creates life, Ahriman creates death; for health, he produces disease; for beauty, ugliness. All man's ills are due entirely to Ahriman."
"Ahriman is evil by choice. 'It is not,' he says, 'that I cannot create anything good, but that I will not.' And to prove this, he created the peacock."
