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
Mithra temple of Marāgheh
The Mithra Temple of Maragheh, also referred to as the Mithra Temple of Verjuy or simply Mehr Temple, is the oldest surviving Mithraic temple in Iran known to date.
Relief of Mithras, Shapur II and Ardashir II
This monument depicts Mihr/Mithras watching over the transition of power from Shapur II to Ardashir II, which took place in 379.
Niasar Cave
The Niasar Cave, غار نیاسر, was a temple probably devoted to Iranian Mithras that dates back to the early Partian era.
Mithraeum of Nush-i Jan
The Nushijan Mithraeum testifies to the worship of Mithra in the region since before the Zoroastrian reform.
Coin of the Kushan Emperor Kanishka I
This gold coin depicts Kanishka I on one side and Mithras standing on the other side.
CIMRM 1
Gold coin of Hooerkes depicting Mithras
Gold coin of the Scythian king Hooerkes, reverse showing MIOPO (Mithras) as a goddess with cornucopia, north-west India, c. 87–129 A.D.
CIMRM 2
Gold coin with Mithras and Mao
A gold coin depicting a bearded god with a crescent facing another god with a nimbus and a radiate crown, identified as Mithras by Vermaseren.
CIMRM 3
Slab from the Palace of Darius at Persepolis
This plaque, located on the western staircase of the Palace of Darius, mentions the god Mithra together with Ahura Mazda as protectors of King Artaxerxes III Ochus.
CIMRM 9
Gold coin of Hooerkes with Mithras holding wreath
Gold coin of the Scythian king Hooerkes, reverse showing Mithras (MOPO) standing with wreath and staff, north-west India, c. 87–129 A.D.
CIMRM 4
Gold coin of rom Bactria
Gold coin from Bactria depicting ΜΙΙΡΟ (Mithras) with radiate crown and military attributes.
CIMRM 5
Inscription of Artaxerxes II from Ecbatana
Inscription from Hamadan where the ’great king’ Artaxerxes mentions Ahuramazda, Anahita, and Mithra as guardians.
CIMRM 8
Brothers attested in Persia
Provinces of Persia
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
Slab from the Palace of Darius at Persepolis
Thâtiy / Artakhshatrâ / khshâyathiya / mâm / Auramazdâ / utâ / M[i]thra / baga / pâtuv / utâ / imâm / DAHyum / utâ / tya / mâm kartâ.
King Artaxerxes says: May Ahuramazda and the god Mithra preserve me, my country, and what has been built by me.
