In January 2018, the public was treated to a rare historical find below the streets of London. CNN reporter Katy Scott revealed that an ancient Roman temple clandestinely hidden in an underground cave was recently restored. While this temple is a unique historical find, the site also gives a bit of a peek into Mithraism, a mystery religion about which few details have survived to the present. Meanwhile, some are attempting recreate and redefine key theologies, rituals and worship practices in the modern era.
An Indian God Revered by Romans?
Scholars have traced worship of the deity known as Mithra back to several regions in the ancient Middle East. His name appears in different forms throughout several languages according to the Encyclopedia Britannica. Some speculate that veneration of this Indo-Iranian god of light spread from India to Persia. Even as the Zoroastrian religion was established, many Persians continued to honor Mithra while simultaneously keeping the teachings of Zarathustra.
Mithra’s worship later spread westward thanks to Alexander the Great’s conquests. By the third century C.E., he was called “Mithras” and revered by large portions of the Roman military. His cult was even seen as an early rival to the burgeoning Christian faith, but some evidence exists that Mithraic worship spaces and iconography were destroyed by zealots seeking to stamp it out after Constantine moved to make Christianity the Roman empire’s official religion.
Initiation and Secrecy Required
One of the reasons why few details survive about the Roman Mithras cult is that membership was by initiation only and devotees were charged to keep his mysteries secret. Prior to the discovery of the underground London temple, archeologists relied on a collection of carvings and artwork to glean information. Most written materials about the cult were generated after it died out.
As a result, scholars usually speculate about how devotees of Mithras worshipped him. Based on pictures and reliefs that have remained intact until modern times, one major theme in his mystery cult seems to be the slaughter of a white bull. Although it appears to be an act he performs at the command of a sun god, Mithras is often depicted with sorrowful expression as he kills the animal. Some believe that this was a fertility rite, while others speculate that the white bull represents a full moon.
Moreover, there’s some disagreement about the gender of typical Mithras cult members. Most of them would have likely been male due to the large numbers of Roman military personnel, and this seems to be backed up by surviving membership rosters full of male names. Nevertheless, the writings of ancient historians such as the Greek Porphyry of Tyre reference Mithraic groups throughout the ancient Middle East with female devotees. Furthermore, the initiation of merchants and other community members contradicts early assertions that it was a military-only cult.
Modern Attempts to Revive Mithraism
Modern revivalists find Mithraism difficult to reconstruct, but some groups base new spiritual practices from what little details they do have. One of these calls itself the Mithraeum, so named after the original term given to Mithras’ secret ancient Roman worship spaces. The Mithraeum has published its own declaration of beliefs outlining key principles for contemporary believers:
- Membership availability to people from all cultures
- Recognition that Mithraic practices can take many forms
- The ability to attain spiritual salvation through its mysteries
- The desire to be a force for good and embody positive qualities
How Much of the Past Can Be Uncovered?
Scholars and pagan revivalists alike are interested in bringing details of this old and secretive cult to the light. From the specifics that have been uncovered, ancient Mithraists may have valued fraternity, fertility, redemption and renewal. It’s uncertain whether newer discoveries will reveal more information, but some of its secrets may indeed be lost to time.