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Mithras in Persia

Persia occupies a central place in the intellectual and historical background of Mithraic studies.

Although the Roman cult of Mithras developed within the religious and social environments of the Roman Empire, Persia remained closely associated in ancient and modern interpretations with the figure of Mithra and broader Iranian religious traditions. The region occupies an important place in discussions concerning cultural transmission, eastern influences and the complex relationship between Roman Mithraism and Iranian religious worlds.

Mithraic monuments of Persia

See all Mithraic monuments in Persia

People attested in Persia

Julian

Julian
(331 – 363)

Provinces of Persia

 

Bactria

Bactria occupied a distant eastern horizon associated with Iranian cultural traditions and the wider background of Mithraic interpretations.

 

Media

Historical region of north-western Iran, forming a major political and cultural centre under the Parthian and Sasanian empires.

 

Persis

Historical region encompassing the heartland of the ancient Persian empires.

Places in Persia

 

Ectabana

Ecbatana was an ancient city, which was first the capital of Media in western Iran, and later was an important city in Persian, Seleucid, and Parthian empires.

 

Kermanshah

Kermanshah is a city in the Central District of Kermanshah province, Iran, serving as capital of the province, the county, and the district.

 

Persepolis

Ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire and one of the foremost cities of ancient Persia.

Inscriptions from Persia

Coin of the Kushan Emperor Kanishka I

MIOPO.
Mithras.

Slab from the Palace of Darius at Persepolis

Thâtiy / Artakhshatrâ khshâyathiya / imam / ustashanâm / athâganâm / mâm / upâ / mâm / kartâ.

Thâtiy / Artakhshatrâ / khshâyathiya / mâm / Auramazdâ / utâ / M[i]thra / baga / pâtuv / utâ / imâm / DAHyum / utâ / tya / mâm kartâ.
King Artaxerxes says: This stone staircase was built by me in my reign.

King Artaxerxes says: May Ahuramazda and the god Mithra preserve me, my country, and what has been built by me.
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