![]() ![]() ![]() Recent researchers, including Roger Beck, assume that the mystery cult was created in Rome by someone who had knowledge of both Greek and Oriental religion and they also assume that several principles of the religion originate from Hellenistic kingdoms where Mithras was identified with the Greek sun god Helios, one of the deities of the syncretic Graeco-Iranian royal cult founded by Antiochus I, king of the small but prosperous buffer state of Commagene in the middle of the first century BC. However, despite their ‘foreign’ origins, these gods were considered an essential part of the cult of the gods in the cities of the empire and were worshipped in the temples erected for them in the way that was customary for the ‘indigenous’ cult. Throughout the Roman Empire the people worshipped a pantheon of gods imported from other cultures. Each section of society had specific favoured gods who could help them in case of need. In order to ensure the flourishing of the relationship between the people and the gods, the population inside and outside Rome was also prepared to embrace any foreign deity insofar as that god could contribute to the welfare of the city, the military garrisons, the families living there and even individuals. With this in mind, the construction of a temple guaranteed positive and benevolent feelings of the god, to whom the temple was dedicated, towards his worshippers. For example, an offering of food to a god automatically brought with it the worshipper’s demand for health, prosperity and happiness. Offerings to the gods were made according to the do ut des principle, in other words, I give you something in the expectation that I will get something from you in return. Roman worship of gods consisted of a mutual agreement between the celebrant and his or her chosen god. Who was Mithras and why was this outsider in the pantheon of gods so widely venerated throughout the Roman Empire? In this article, we examine this mystery cult, which initially became popular among the legionnaires during the Roman Imperial period and how the cult forged close alliances of loyalty and brotherhood among its members. Written for TimeTravelRome by Michel Gybels Description of Mithraeums – Michel Gybels & TimeTavelRome ![]()
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