Cult of Mithras Explained

The Cult of Mithras was a thriving religion in the Roman Empire. But by the 5th century....it was gone. What do we know about the Cult of Mithras? And what was its relationship with Christianity?

Uploaded 18-04-17

Twitter: @andrewmarkhenry
Blog: www.religionforbreakfast.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/religionforbreakfast
Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfast

Andrew's religious studies book recommendations: http://amazon.com/shop/religionforbreakfast

Thanks to our Patreon patrons!:
Dan D
Brian B
Kalei W
Derek K
Tuuli H
Alex B
Mason A
Adil A
Mark H
Alice C
Wilson
Cain D
Danny H

Bibliography:

Clauss, Manfred. The Roman Cult of Mithras.

Beck, Roger. The Religion of the Mithras Cult in the Roman Empire.

Sources debunking the "Christ/Mithras" myth can be found at The Tertullian Project: Tertullian Project: http://www.tertullian.org/rpearse/mithras/display.php?page=Mithras_and_Jesus#note12

Incredible resource of every citation about Mithras in Greco-Roman literature: http://www.tertullian.org/rpearse/mithras/literary_sources.htm

Photo attributions:
San Clemete Mithraeum: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c6/Mithraeum_San_Clemente_Rom.JPG

Ostia Mithraeum: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Mitreo_dei_Serpenti_(Ostia_Antica)#/media/File:Ostia_Antica_-_mitreo_dei_Serpenti_1050449.JPG

Mithraeum of Seven Spheres:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/archer10/5150996098

Baths of Caracalla: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baths_of_Caracalla#/media/File:Baths_of_Caracalla,_facing_Caldarium.jpg

Rock Born Mithras: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MitraRisingfromtherockMNIR.JPG
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7e/MC_-_Mithras_im_Fels.jpg

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/39/Mithra_as_a_child_-_3rd-4th_century_AD_-_Museo_Archeologico_-_Milan_2014.jpg

Mithras Fresco: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Tauroctony_-_Frescos#/media/File:Mitreo_Barberini.JPG

7th Ostia Felicissimus Panel: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Ostia_Antica_(archaeological_site)#/media/File:7th_panel_Mitreo_di_Felicissimus_Ostia_Antica_2006-09-08.jpg

Sol and Mithras: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mithraism#/media/File:Mithras_banquet_Louvre_Ma3441.jpg

Ritual Meal: http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ancient-cultures/ancient-israel/a-feast-for-the-senses-and-the-soul/

Hawarte Picture: http://palmyra2010.blox.pl/html/1310721,262146,21.html?801805

Aurelian Coin: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Radiate_of_Aurelian_(YORYM_2001_9658)_obverse.jpg

Saarbrücken: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Mithrasgrotte_(Saarbr%C3%BCcken)#/media/File:Mithrasgrotte_Halberg_Saarbruecken.jpg

Santa Prisca: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Santa_Prisca_Mithraeum.jpg

Capua Mithraeum: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mithraeum_(mitreo),_Ancient_Capua_(14416247560).jpg

Capua Fresco: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tauroctony_fresco_in_the_mithraeum_of_Capua,_2nd_century_(CIMRM_181),_Mithraeum_(mitreo),_Ancient_Capua_(14595393221).jpg

Dura-Europos House Church: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dura-Europos_church#/media/File:DuraEuropos-Church.jpg

Constantine the Great bust: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantine_the_Great#/media/File:0_Gaius_Flavius_Valerius_Constantinus_-_Palatino.JPG



Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices