Mithras

Mithras explores the history and practices of the ancient mystery religion Mithraism looking at both literary and material evidence for the god Mithras and the reception and allure of his mysteries in the present. The genesis and spread of Mithraism remain highly controversial. This book examines our current state of knowledge on the pre-classical Indo-Iranian god Mitra and argues that Mithraism was a product of Mitra’s encounter with the religious thought of the classical world. It then charts the life history of Mithraism in the Roman Empire exploring the social background of its initiates and the reasons for their attraction to the religion. The rituals and beliefs of the cult are as mysterious as its origins; in studying Mithraic caves and paintings found in some Mithraic temples we can better understand and reconstruct the rituals the Mithraists practiced. While bull-slaying or tauroctony lies at the core of the Mithraic mythos this volume explores other incidents in the god’s life depicted in ancient art including his miraculous birth and his banquet with the sun as well as the disconcerting lion-headed enveloped god. After a fall from grace in the post-classical world Mithras has resurrected himself in the present establishing himself as one of the most recognisable if elusive gods of antiquity. Mithras provides a fascinating study of this complex god that will be of interest to scholars and students of Roman and Late Antique religion mystery cults as well as those working on society and religion in antiquity more broadly.