I am curious about the story of Mithras. When did he live?Is it true that he was born of a virgin, killed and rose from the dead 3 days later? This religion originated in ancient Persia, but spread to the early Roman empire.
2006-09-10 11:32:27 · 9 answers · asked by Gorgeoustxwoman2013 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Entirely mythological, but it was popular at the time christianity arose -- the christians appropriated much of its mythology, particulary December 25 since that was believed to be Mithras' birthday.
2006-09-10 11:35:50 · answer #1 · answered by stevewbcanada 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Mithraism apparently originated in the Eastern part of today's Iran around the 7th century BC . It was practiced in the Roman Empire since the first century BC, and reached its apogee around the third through fourth centuries AD, when it was very popular among the Roman soldiers. Mithraism disappeared from overt practice after the Theodosian decree of AD 391 banned all pagan rites, and it apparently became extinct thereafter.
The term "Mithraism" is a modern development and was not a term known to the ancient Roman Mithraists. In antiquity, the cult was known as "the mysteries of Mithras", and to its adherents, as "the mysteries of the Persians.This latter epithet is significant, not for whether (or not) the Mithraists considered the object of their devotion a Persian divinity, but for the fact that the devotees were convinced that their religion was founded by Zoroaster.
Mithraism is best documented in the form it had acquired in the Roman Empire. It was an initiatory 'mystery religion,' passed from initiate to initiate, like the Eleusinian Mysteries. It was not based on a supernaturally revealed body of scripture, and hence very little written documentary evidence survives.
Soldiers appeared to be the most plentiful followers of Mithraism, and women were apparently not allowed to join.
2006-09-10 18:39:31 · answer #2 · answered by yablomee 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I have heard of Mithras. His worship was obscure in Rome even at the height of his popularity, and was limited for the most part to the Legions, who found much appeal in a warrior god. With the corrupting influence of all the new religions the expansion of the Empire brought, poor old Mars had kind of fallen off in favor. As to the Christ parallel, never heard anything of it, but it wouldn't be unheard of for such parallels to be drawn, in one direction or the other. It was a common practice in those days, and isn't all that uncommon today.
Though I never heard anyone speculate, given the apparent origin of the mythos, one would be inclined to wonder if he was not, in fact, a sort of gentler mythical amalgam of Ninib and Nergal, from the Byzantines. I do know the sect was very popular in Persia, among its own soldiery, probably for the same reason it was favored by the forces of the Pax Romana--even Mars' observances were tame in comparison to those of Mithras, in a time when 'civilized' was purely relative. Perhaps Mithras had originated as a warrior such as Cormac MacArt or Cuchulainn, even Boadicea, and just got embroidered over time.
Whatever the case, I don't believe there is any basis in reality for your apparent contention that Jesus the Christ was merely a pallid retelling of that old legend, Considering the difference in the basic messages, there can be very little doubt of that.
2006-09-10 19:00:36 · answer #3 · answered by kaththea s 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I recall that Mithraism is a pagan religion that was popular in the time of the Roman Empire. Had to do a quick google because I never heard he was born of a virgin, killed and rose from the dead later but, heck, lots of the ancient pagan gods were supposed to be born of virgins and several religions, including the Egyptian, had gods that were slain or died and then rose from the dead.
2006-09-10 18:40:25 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
High gorgeous! Mithras was related to the BULL cult. Taurus.
Christmas day was originally a festival for Mithras as well as the Winter Soltice, changing of the seasons.
You'll find that every astrological age affected what they
worshipped. Ram/Aires, Bull/Taurus, Pisces/Jesus/Fish.
2006-09-10 19:18:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
An interesting link for you...
http://www.crystalinks.com/mithra.html
2006-09-10 18:38:51 · answer #6 · answered by Bob L 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
http://www.truthbeknown.com/mithra.htm
http://www.crystalinks.com/mithra.html
These 2 links are full of information pertaining to your questions.
Blessings )O(
2006-09-10 18:42:24 · answer #7 · answered by Epona Willow 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds familiar...
2006-09-10 18:33:37 · answer #8 · answered by Ejsenstejn 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes.
Old news................thanks for letting us know you can read ancient fables.
2006-09-10 18:36:37 · answer #9 · answered by whynotaskdon 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋