Inspired by Persian Mithra, Romans recreate ancient cult rituals and religious mysteries in the worship of Mithras, based on the older cult of the Sun. Mithras rules widely from Classical to Late Antiquity, with powers to rival those of Christianity.
Mysteries of Mithras
Mithraism is a secret religion, or mystery cult for men. Only priests and initiates know the rites and signs. Centered in Rome, the Cult of Mithras has seven initiation levels. Members observe communal ritual meals and call themselves syndexioi, or 'those united by a handshake'.
According to legend, Mithras is born fully adult from a rock beside a sacred stream under a sacred tree. He emerges bearing a torch and knife. He rides and later kills the life-giving cosmic bull, whose fertile blood nourishes all vegetation. In later myth he's born of a virgin.
The cult of Mithras threatens the rise of Christianity as both religious cultures spread about the same time. The Apostle Paul begins to preach in Rome in 47 AD. In 336 AD, the first Christian Roman Emperor, Constantine, declares the first known celebration of Christmas.
By the 4th century, Christians actively persecute the followers of Mithras. The religion goes underground, in a desperate but futile hope for survival. Further suppression follows and by the end of the 4th century, Mithraism is officially eliminated in the Roman Empire.
Surviving signs of the Cult of Mithras include archeological findings of gathering places and sacred objects. Artifacts of the cult are found at 420 different sites. Due to the level of secrecy within the cult, evidence is largely based on the many historical finds.
Iconic scenes are chronicled in relief sculpture or other artwork in Roman temples. They include the birth of Mithras from a stone, Mithras enjoying a banquet with Sol the Sun, Mithras shooting an arrow into a rock to bring forth water.
Most popular are scenes of Mithras killing a bull in ceremonial or sacrificial context. While Mithra enjoys power in Persia (Iran), bull-slaying scenes occur only in Roman artwork.
Mithras, contacted by a raven, receives orders from the Sun himself to slay a white bull for the salvation of humankind. This is the cosmic bull of legend. The bull's blood fertilizes the Earth.
As soon as the bull dies, it becomes the Moon. The cloak of Mithras become stars and planets. Mithras' sacrifice of the bull reflects the burgeoning Roman Cult of the Bull from the 2nd to 4th centuries AD.
Mithras is a God of Divine Mediation. He corresponds between mortal and godly powers. As a solar deity he's known as 'Light of the Sun'.
Mithras' Birthday - December 25
At one time scholars propagate the idea of Mithras' birthday and the feast of Mithras on Dec. 25, the day of dies natalis solis invicti or Sol Invictus, the Invincible Sun. Later evidence shows Sol Invictus as a general festival of the Sun.
Held in the days following the Winter Solstice it celebrates the ancient theme of the Sun's return after a time of cold and darkness. Debates over the starting date of Sol Invictus go back to the 12th century AD.
Cult of the Sun God: Sol Invictus
The Roman cult of Mithras is placed parallel to that of Sol, the Sun or Sun God. Worship of Sol is prevalent in Rome since the days of the Early Republic (509 - 27 BCE).
Invictus means invincible, unconquered or unconquerable. It's also taken as an epithet for gods and demi-gods Jupiter, King of the Gods; Mars, God of War; Heracles, the Greek hero; Greco-Roman Sun God Apollo, and Silvanus, Roman God of the Countryside.
The Day of the Invincible Sun relates to the early revival of solar light after the winter solstice. Trees start budding as soon as the longest night is past and the Sun begins to grace the Earth with nourishment and warmth.
Like many cultures, the Romans wait until the return of the sun is undeniable, a few days after the Solstice, before celebrating its resurrection. Thus the day of the Invincible Sun falls on December 25 by the 1582 AD Gregorian calendar.
The Roman Festival Saturnalia (Dec 17 - 23) occurs over Solstice. In some chronologies the festival extends to include Sol Invictus. In others there's a day separating the two celebrations. From the bawdy revelry of Saturnalia Romans move on to celebrations of light.
The cult of Sol goes back to the earliest history of Rome. According to scholars, Titus Tatius, King of the Sabines, introduces the cult just after the founding of Rome by brother-slayer Romulus.
On 25 Dec 274 AD, Roman Emperor Aurelian creates the cult of Sol Invictus as an official religion, along with traditional Roman observances. The cult prospers only briefly, as Christianity becomes the exclusive state religion in 380 AD.
Shrines to the Sun God are found in Numicius, central Italy; at the Circus Maximus, and many other places of gathering and worship.
The Romans have two versions of the Sun. The early Sol Indiges, the beta version, is a harvest deity. The later Sol Invictus evolves to encompass the full glory of the Sun. They're considered versions of the same god, Sol.
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