Mazdak ( died 524 or 528 ) was a Persian reformer and religious activist . He became influential under the reign of the Sassanian Shahanshah Kavadh I. He claimed to be a prophet of God , and started communal possessions and social welfare programs . Ø Ø Ú ) ( died c. 524 or 528 ) was a proto-socialist Persian reformer and religious activist who gained influence under the reign of the Sassanian Shahanshah Kavadh I. He claimed to be a prophet of God , and instituted communal possessions and social welfare programs .