The Mysteries of Mithra by Franz Cumont

Description

The Mysteries of Mithra is a book by Franz Cumont, first published in 1903. This seminal work explores the ancient mystery religion of Mithraism, a powerful and widespread cult that flourished throughout the Roman Empire from the 1st to the 4th century CE. Cumont meticulously traces the origins of the Mithraic faith from Persian Zoroastrian roots to its complex development in the Roman world, where it became a rival to early Christianity. The book examines Mithraic symbolism, rituals, and temples, shedding light on the theological and cosmological framework that made the cult so appealing to Roman soldiers and officials. With its scholarly rigor and sweeping historical scope, this study helped establish Mithraism as a key part of the religious landscape of antiquity and remains a foundational text in the study of ancient mystery religions. This is a translation by Thomas J. McCormack.

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