The Cult of Mithras in Late Antiquity. Development, Decline and Demise ca. A.D. 270-430
In The Cult of Mithras in Late Antiquity David Walsh explores how the cult of Mithras developed across the 3rd and 4th centuries A.D. and why by the early 5th century the cult had completely disappeared. Contrary to the traditional narrative that the cult was violently persecuted out of existence by Christians, Walsh demonstrates that the cult’s decline was a far more gradual process that resulted from a variety of factors. He also challenges the popular image of the cult as a monolithic entity, highlighting how by the 4th century Mithras had come to mean different things to different people in different places.
Introduction
Religious Change in Late Antiquity: Changing Scholarly Views
The Cult of Mithras: A Brief Introduction
The Cult of Mithras in Late Antiquity: Changing Scholarly Views
The Structure of This Volume
Selecting the Evidence
A Note on Terminology
1 The Development of the Cult of Mithras in Late Antiquity
The Location of Mithraea
Mithraic Architecture
Mithraic Iconography
Patronage and Membership
Mithraic Hierarchies
Ritual Practice
Variations of the Name ‘Mithras’
Conclusion
2 The Decline of the Cult I: The Evidence
Introduction
The Decline in Construction/Restoration of Mithraea
Mithraea and Wider Patterns of Construction and Repair in Late Antiquity
Charting the Declining Use of Individual Mithraea
Conclusion
3 The Decline of the Cult Part 2: Explaining the Decline
Introduction
Declining Populations
Changing Social Networks
Changes in Mithraic Rituals
Coercion by the Imperial Government
Conclusion
4 The Fate of Mithraea
Introduction
Geographical and Chronological Variation in the Fate of Mithraea
Factors Contributing to the Fate of Mithraea
Conclusion
Conclusion
Appendix A: Gazetteer of Mithraea Active in the 4th c. and Those That Exhibit Evidence of Christian Iconoclasm
A Britain
B. Germany
C. Noricum
D. Pannonia
E. Dalmatia
F. Italy (Excluding Rome and Ostia)
G. Gaul
H. Spain
I. North Africa
J. The Eastern Mediterranean
Appendix B: Mithraea Constructed and Repaired ca. AD 201–400
Comments
Add a comment