Manichaeism was one of the major Gnostic religions, which thrived between the 3rd-7th centuries, with smaller groups practicing it until the 16th century. Although most of the original writings of the founding prophet Mani (Syriac, ܡܐܢܝ, c. 210–276 AD) have been lost, numerous translations and fragmentary texts have survived. At its height, Manichaeism was one of the most widespread religions in the world, with Manichaean churches and scriptures existing as far east as China and as far west as the Roman empire. The spread and success of Manichaeism were seen as a threat to other religions, and it was widely persecuted in Christian, Zoroastrian, and later, Islamic areas. [All from Wiki.]

Like later Gnostic sects like the cathars/weavers, the Manicheans were persecuted because of their heretical beliefs. But could there beliefs have lived on even if they were wiped out? Does there thinking crop up elsewhere?

Well, there's nothing new under the sun, and there's not a lot that the Manicheans believed that was awfully unique -- in fact, I can't think of /anything/ they believed in that wasn't found in half a dozen other period religions. Insofar as what they believed was common and already had historical import, then yes, it survived and cropped up elsewhere, but not because there were hidden groups hustling it along, or that they held some great truth that kept them going.

--Jaylemurph