The Roman Cult of Mithras

First published in 2001. The Mithras cult first became evident in Rome towards the end of the first century AD. During the next two centuries, it spread to the frontiers of the Western empire. Energetically suppressed by the early Christians, who frequently constructed their churches over the caves in which Mithraic rituals took place, the cult was extinct by the end of the fourth century. Since its publication in Germany, Manfred Clauss's introduction to the Roman Mithras cult has become widely accepted as the most reliable and readable account of this fascinating subject. For the English edition, Clauss has updated the book to reflect recent research and new archaeological discoveries.

Auteur

Manfred Clauss is Professor of Ancient History at the Free University of Berlin. His many books include histories of Sparta and ancient Israel, as well as a concise biography of Cleopatra.

Résumé
First published in 2001. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Contenu

List of illustrations Preface to the English edition Translator's preface Foreword Abbreviations Contexts 1. Mitra and Mithras 2. Religious perspectives in the Roman Empire 3. Mystery religions 4. The nature of the evidence The God and his Mysteries 5. The growth of the cult 6. Recruitment 7. The mithraeum 8. The sacred narrative 9. Ritual 10. Utensils 11. The priestly grades 12. Mithras, swift to save 13. Mithras and the other gods 14. Mithras and Christ Notes Bibliography Further reading General index Index of ancient passages Index of monuments and inscriptions