Mithras: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

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'''Mithras''' was the central savior god of [[Mithraism]], a [[syncretism|syncretic]] [[Hellenism|Hellenistic]] [[mystery religion]] of male initiates that developed in the Eastern [[Mediterranean]] in the [[2nd century BC|2nd]] and [[1st century BC|1st]] centuries BC and was practiced in the [[Roman Empire]] from the [[1st century BC]] to the [[5th century]] AD. [[Parthian]] coins and documents bear a double date with a 64 year interval that represents Mithra's ascension to heaven, traditionally given as the equivalent of [[208 BCEBC]], 64 years after his birth.

The name Mithras was adapted from the [[Persia|Persian]] god [[Mithra]], the mediator between [[Ahura Mazda]] and the earth, the guarantor of human contracts, although in [[Mithraism]] much was added to the original elements of Mithra. However, some of the attributes of Roman Mithras may have been taken from other Eastern cults: for example, the heavy Mithraist use of astrology strongly suggests [[syncretism]] with star-oriented [[Mesopotamian]] or [[Anatolian]] religions. At least some of this syncretism may have already been underway when the cult was adopted in the West.

Roman soldiers, possibly having encountered the cult of Mithras as an element of Zoroastrianism in what is now [[Armenia]], [[Syria]] and eastern [[Turkey]], brought the religion back to the center of the empire, one of a crowd of mystery religions competing in the Empire. The Romanized Greek historian [[Plutarch]] ([[46]]-[[125]] A.D.AD), reported that Mithras was first introduced into Italy by captive pirates brought back from [[Cilicia]], who initiated Romans into their mystery cult. In [[67 BCEBC]], the first congregation of Mithras-worshipping soldiers, under [[Pompey]]'s command, existed in Rome. By around 100AD CE[[100]] it had become widely popular. Among the legions this was especially so, with Mithraism's strong emphasis on honor and courage, the brotherhood of the Good combatting Evil.

With the conversion of [[Constantine the Great]] to [[Christianity]] and the decrees under [[Theodosius I]] ([[391]]) banning the use of non-Christian places of worship, Mithraism began a rapid decline. Despite a temporary resurrection under [[Julian]] the Apostate ([[331]]-[[363]]) the cult finally disappeared.

== Elements of the cult ==