Syncretistic amulet Abraxas-Mithras

TNMM 548

The Abrasax of the Athenian amulet occurs in simplified form on another Gnostic charm on the reverse of which is the name Mithrax (Μίθραξ) as if to rhyme with Abrasax. Such syncretism readily explains the appearance of the abbreviated names of Mithraic gods beneath an Abrasax. The sequence of the first two names, Mithras and Helios, is that (Μίθραξ 'Hλioυ) of the Greek inscription at Nemrud Dagh carved at the order of Antiochus, whose family was part Persian.

The sequence of the names Helios and Selene is that of their days Sunday and Monday, and is found not only in Mithraic inscriptions but in literature. Porphyry tells us that it is necessary to consider the sun as the leader of the gods but 'to rank the moon in the second place.' Julian, in a letter to the Athenians (275 b) informs them that he was protected by Athena, who brought angels from Helios and Selene. A Mithraic inscription mentions several deities, Soli, Lunae, ... genio Jovis, ... genio Victoriae ... in the order in which they occur in the inscription on the Athenian amulet. The concluding names, Zeus and Nike, recall the watchword Zeευς σωτηρ χαι Nιχη which the soldiers of Xenophon used with the approval of the Persian Cyrus. Their sequence is the equivalent of Zeus Nikator, the Olympian Zeus with Nike as his attribute. Since the Abrasax carries a shield, and since the Mithraic cult was preeminently a soldier's cult, the presence of Nike in the list of deities invoked is quite logical. Nike is represented writing on shields in Greek and Roman art, especially on gems and coins. The shield of the Abrasax frequently bears an inscription. The initials NZJHM are suggestive of the Christian acrostic IXΘYΣ although the former do not spell a symbol.