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Mithraism was an ancient Persian cult of the Sun God, adopted by many Romans, which was very popular in the first two centuries of the Roman Empire, especially in the Army.
Mithras was symbolised by a bull, and adherents of his cult tended to carry iron in some form - maybe a small badge, or simply an iron tool/ artefact of personal significance. They would "touch iron" to ward off evil, motivate themselves, or to summon up courage.
Mithraism emphasised the duality of dark and light, and initiates engaged in secret rituals in underground chambers (The ruins of a Roman Army Mithraic Temple stand at Maiden Castle, an Iron Age Celtic hillfort near Dorchester, Dorset, England; stormed/ captured by the Roman Army during the Conquest of Southern Britain, C1st AD.) which certainly included washing in bull's blood - probably mainly symbolic, involving small quantites of blood...in most cases!
They had initiation rites very similar to Christian baptism, and also believed Mithras to be a personal saviour who had risen from death to redeem humankind from the consequences of evil. Some initiates entered ecstatic trance states in which it was believed they attained spiritual union with the Deity. Mithraists celebrated their Saviour's birthday... on 25th December!
The refrain of the "Hymn of the XXX Legion" indicates just why Mithras (a soldier in the service of Light) was so popular with Roman soldiers:
"Mithras, also a soldier, give us strength for this day!
Mithras, also a soldier, keep us pure until the dawn!
Mithras, also a soldier, teach us to die aright!"
Question: Did Mithraism influence the early Christians in the Roman Empire? Go figure...!
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What has the author W J Phythian-Adams written?
W. J. Phythian-Adams has written: 'Mithraism' -- subject(s): Mithraism
Was Judaism influenced by Mithraism?
Judahism was developed by Abraham
What has the author Roger Beck written?
Roger Beck has written: 'A brief history of ancient astrology' -- subject(s): Astrology, History 'Mithraism since Franz Cumont' -- subject(s): Mithraism
Was Mithraism a major competitor with Christianity?
Yes. Mithraism was a strong competitor to Christianity in the first two centuries, but had a fatal weakness, whatever its theological truth. Mithraism only accepted men as full members, whereas Christianity actively sought out women as converts, knowing that if the wives converted to Christianity, men would often follow.
What roman emporer was the imperial cult named mithraism under?
Mithraism was not an imperial cult, it was a military one. It thrived under several emperors. We know little about it as its rites were secret. We do know that it originated in ancient Persia and that the god Mithras was always seen killing a bull.
What was the pagan roman religion popular with soldiers?
Mithraism was the male only religion popular with the Roman soldiers.
What are the basic teachings of Mithraism?
Philospphy!. Mithras was the ancient Persian God of light and truth, a sun god as it were.
What has the author Maarten Jozef Vermaseren written?
Maarten Jozef Vermaseren has written: 'The excavations in the Mithraeum of the Church of Santa Prisca in Rome' -- subject(s): Excavations (Archaeology), Mithraism, Roman Temples, Rome, Rome (City) Santa Prisca (Church), Temples, Roman 'Mithras' -- subject(s): Mithraism
What has the author Hans Schmeja written?
Hans Schmeja has written: 'Iranisches und Griechisches in den Mithrasmysterien' -- subject(s): Addresses, essays, lectures, Mithraism
How did the catacombs start?
Some of the catacombs started as Roman quarries, and were taken over by Mithraists, who believed that Mithras must be worshipped underground. In other cases, the Mithraists excavated their own underground places of worship. By the third century CE, Mithraism was in decline and Christians began to take over the catacombs as burial places. It seems that the Christians felt that by burying their dead in catacombs that had belonged to Mithraism, they were dishonouring that religion.
What has the author Walter O Moeller written?
Walter O. Moeller has written: 'The Mithraic origin and meanings of the rotas-sator square' -- subject(s): Mithraism, Rotas-Sator square
What religion would allow men to enter?
AnswerThe Roman religion known as Mithraism was open to men, but women could not become members. Although very popular for some two or three centuries, Mithraism's failure to recruit women was a fatal weakness that led to its downfall. Christianity, which arose at around the same time, actively recruited women, knowing that they would bring their children up as Christians, as well as explain the new religion to the men in their lives.
