The New Mithraeum Database

Between the 1st and 4th centuries, Mithraism developed throughout the Roman world. Much material exists, but textual evidence is scarce. The only ancient work that fills this gap is Porphyry’s intense and complex essay.

Porphyry states that the Mithraists “perfect their initiate by inducting him into a mystery of the descent of souls and their exit back out again, calling the place a ‘cave’.”

Neoplatonic allegorical interpretation expounds how literary texts present philosophical ideas in an enigmatic and coded form, offering an alternative path to the divine truths. The Neoplatonist Porphyry’s On the Cave of the Nymphs is one of the most si…

Interpreting the Bas-relief of Mithras Tauroctonos from Osterburken in the Light of Porphyry’s Treatise, The Cave of the Nymphs.

Two extracts from De abstinentia ab esu animalium by Porphyry on sacrifices and the importance of abstinence from animal food among Persian Magi.

Written in the 3rd century, The Cave of the Nymphs is a treatise of Homeric exegesis that condenses some major theological and philosophical themes that nourished Neoplatonic thought. Starting from eleven verses of The Odyssey, in which the poet describes…

This shrine developed towards the end of 2nd century and remained active until beginning 4th.

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In this article, Chalupa examines the scant evidence that has been found for the presence of women in the Roman cult of Mithras.

Slave of Philopalaestrus.

Mithras Reader: An academic and religious journal of Greek, Roman, and Persian studies is dedicated to all the religions of the classical world in all its aspects-literature, history, poetry and philosophy. It includes academic papers from researchers and…

The fraternal order that focussed on the worship of the ancient Iranian god Mithra was probably formed in Iran, Armenia, and Pontus (the southern coastal region of the Black Sea in eastern Anatolia, present-day Turkey). Travelers and colonists from theseS…

Twelve centuries separate the decline of Roman Mithraism from the dawn of Freemasonry. Twelve centuries during which the mysteries of Mithras have remained more secret than ever.

Laurent Bricault has revolutionised Mithraic studies with the exhibition The Mystery of Mithras. Meet this professor in Toulouse for a fascinating look at the latest discoveries and what lies ahead.

This syncretic amulet depicting Abraxas and the word MIΘPAZ was once displayed in the Cappello Museum of Venice.

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