The Origins Of The Mithraic Mysteries

This volume sets forth a new explanation of the meaning of the cult of Mithraism, tracing its origins not, as commonly held, to the ancient Persian religion, but to ancient astronomy and cosmology.

Mithraism was a Roman mystery cult that drew upon the mythology of Mithras from the Persian Zoroastrian religion. In this unique book, first published in 1903, Cumont explains how the Roman version differed from the original worship of Mithras and then identifies those rituals that have some historical accuracy. Often, the Roman rituals preserved only the external trappings of Zoroastrian worship, such as using animals skins during rites and designating caves as holy places. Cumont also shows his readers how Mithraism adopted beliefs and rituals from other sources as well, creating the cult in its fully realized form. He then goes on to show how the cult fell from favor and was finally overwhelmed by Christianity. Students of history and religion, as well as anyone interested in cult religions, will find this book an intriguing journey through an obscure era. Belgian archaeologist and historian FRANZ-VALERY-MARIE CUMONT (1869-1947) wrote numerous books, often making use of his interest in philology and the study of instructions. Among his books is Life After Roman Paganism (1922).

The Mysteries of Mithras presents a revival of this ancient Roman mystery religion, popular from the late second century B.C. Payam Nabarz reveals the history and tenets of Mithraism, its connections to Christianity, Islam, and Freemasonry, and the modern neo-pagan practice of Mithraism today. Included are seven of its initiatory rituals.

First published in 1956, this seminal study, by the great Belgian scholar Franz Cumont, remains the definitive coverage of a great ideological struggle between the West and the Orient in the first centuries of the Christian era. Mithraism, a mystery religion originating in Persia, spread rapidly through the Roman Empire, and achieved such strength that Europe almost became Mithraic. Dr. Cumont, the world’s’ greatest authority on aspects of classical religions, here discusses the origins of this colourful oriental religion, and its association with the Roman army. Then utilizing fragmentary monuments and texts, in one of the greatest feats of scholarly detection, he reconstructs the mystery teachings and secret doctrines, the hidden organization and cult of Mithra. This volume includes 70 illustrations.

With over 50 LARGE TO FULL-PAGE illustrations, The Mysteries Of Mithra examines the history and origin of the Mithraic religion. It covers the dissemination of Mithraism into the Roman Empire, the Doctrine of the Mithraic mysteries, the liturgy, clergy and devotees and the art of the Mithraic religion. The Romans attributed their Mithraic mysteries (the mystery religion known as Mithraism) to "Persian" (i.e. Zoroastrian) sources relating to Mithra.

The Mysteries of Mithra by Franz Valery Marie Cumont provides an in-depth analysis of the Mithraic religion and its subsequent decline mainly due to the ascendance of Christianity. Cumont borrows heavily from some of his previous work on the same topic by summarising detailed notes and references into its present form. Mithraic religion evolved through Asiatic and Iranian roots which is highlighted in the first section of this work dealing with the origins of the religion. The author does not provide any biased opinions on the question of faith, instead postulating theories and observations based on historical facts. One of the underlying themes in The Mysteries of Mithra is the parallels Cumont is able to draw between modern day Christianity and the Mithraic religion. The conflict between this mysterious religion and Christianity is ensconced in the lack of acceptance and assimilation of two different theological strands. Cumont is quick to appreciate the fact that reliable sources on Mithraic imagery are few and far between and hence some of its analysis is pivoted on probability. Spread across seven chapters, The Mysteries of Mithra also contains an index for quick reference and various illustrations depicting the Mithraic religious symbolisms through its evolution. The section detailing Doctrines of Mithraic Mysteries is particularly interesting as it opens up a treasure trove of lesser known facts while highlighting the subtle yet assertive similarities between Mithraism and Christianity. This title is as informative and enlightening for the casual enthusiast as it would be for scholars and students of religion. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

The Mysteries of Mithra by Franz Valery Marie Cumont provides an in-depth analysis of the Mithraic religion and its subsequent decline mainly due to the ascendance of Christianity. Cumont borrows heavily from some of his previous work on the same topic by summarising detailed notes and references into its present form. Mithraic religion evolved through Asiatic and Iranian roots which is highlighted in the first section of this work dealing with the origins of the religion. The author does not provide any biased opinions on the question of faith, instead postulating theories and observations based on historical facts. One of the underlying themes in The Mysteries of Mithra is the parallels Cumont is able to draw between modern day Christianity and the Mithraic religion. The conflict between this mysterious religion and Christianity is ensconced in the lack of acceptance and assimilation of two different theological strands. Cumont is quick to appreciate the fact that reliable sources on Mithraic imagery are few and far between and hence some of its analysis is pivoted on probability. Spread across seven chapters, The Mysteries of Mithra also contains an index for quick reference and various illustrations depicting the Mithraic religious symbolisms through its evolution. The section detailing Doctrines of Mithraic Mysteries is particularly interesting as it opens up a treasure trove of lesser known facts while highlighting the subtle yet assertive similarities between Mithraism and Christianity. This title is as informative and enlightening for the casual enthusiast as it would be for scholars and students of religion. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

With over 50 LARGE TO FULL-PAGE illustrations, The Mysteries Of Mithra examines the history and origin of the Mithraic religion. It covers the dissemination of Mithraism into the Roman Empire, the Doctrine of the Mithraic mysteries, the liturgy, clergy and devotees and the art of the Mithraic religion. The Romans attributed their Mithraic mysteries (the mystery religion known as Mithraism) to "Persian" (i.e. Zoroastrian) sources relating to Mithra.