Rattibha

**Mithraism: A Fascinating Ancient Religion**
1/9: Mithraism, also known as the Mithraic mysteries, was practiced in the Roman Empire from the 1st to the 4th cen. CE. It was centered around the worship of the deity Mithras, who was believed to be a Persian god of light and sun.

Mithraism, the worship of Mithra, the Iranian god of the sun, justice, contract, and war in pre-Zoroastrian Iran. this deity was honoured as the patron of loyalty to the emperor.

In a cuneiform tablet of the 15th century BCE that contains a treaty between the Hittites and the Mitanni, Mithra is invoked as the god of oath. Furthermore, in Indian Vedic texts the god Mitra (the Indian form of Mithra) appears both as “friend” and as “contract.”

2/9: Mithraism had a strong appeal to Roman soldiers and merchants, and its influence spread throughout the empire. The religion had secretive initiation rites and rituals that were performed in underground temples called Mithraea.

3/9: Mithras, the central figure of the religion, was often depicted as a young, bull-slaying deity. He was seen as a mediator between the divine and human realms, and his worshipers believed that he could offer salvation and protection.

4/9: The Mithraic rituals involved symbolic acts such as communal meals, baptism, and the use of special symbols like the bull, the sun, and the torch. These rituals were believed to bring about personal transformation and spiritual enlightenment.

Mithras looks away from the dying bull, up to the moon. Also, Mithras has a few little helpers that accompany him in taking the bull's fertility: a dog and a snake drink from the bull's blood, and a scorpion stings the bulls scrotum. A raven sits on the bull's tail that ends in ears of corn. The raven could have played the role of a mediator between Mithras and the sun god Sol invictus, with whom Mithras will share the meat of the bull. He looks down at the scene from the upper left corner.

2nd or 3rd century CE. Römisch-Germanisches Museum, Cologne, Germany.

5/9: Mithraism had a hierarchical structure, with seven initiation levels known as grades. Each grade represented a different stage of spiritual advancement within the religion. The highest grade, known as "Pater," held the most knowledge and authority.

Parthian silver coin, 1st-2nd century CE.
Reverse: Short-bearded bust of Mithra facing left, with a long moustache and bushy hair. Mithra wears diadem, torque and Persian V-neck jacket with beaded lapels. 7 Rays of a halo shine above his head.

6/9: The popularity of Mithraism diminished in the 4th century CE, partly due to the rise of Christianity, which eventually became the dominant religion in the Roman Empire. The exact reasons for the decline of Mithraism remain unknown.

The Tauroctony depicting Mithras slaying the bull. The relief was found at the Walbrook site and is now on display at the Museum of London. Dating from ca. 240 - ca. 4th century CE.

7/9: Mithraism incorporated elements from different cultures, including Persian, Hellenistic, and Roman traditions. It provided a sense of community and a pathway to personal growth and enlightenment for its followers.

8/9: Scholars have debated the origins and nature of Mithraism. Some believe it was derived from Zoroastrianism, an ancient Persian religion, while others argue that it was a syncretic religion that fused various elements from different cultures.

Statue of Ahriman from a Mithraic Temple
Unknown provenance, 1st century BCE - 3rd century CE

9/9: Despite its eventual decline, Mithraism left a lasting impact on art, symbolism, and religious practices in the Roman Empire. Its intriguing mysteries and rituals continue to fascinate scholars and enthusiasts interested in ancient religions. #Mithraism
#AncientReligions

Src
Cyron, M. (2015, March 24). Cult Relief of the Mithraic Mysteries. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from worldhistory.org
britannica.com