Select Passages Illustrating Mithraism

"Select Passages Illustrating Mithraism, Translated, With an Introduction" is a comprehensive collection of primary source documents and scholarly analysis dedicated to one of the Roman Empire's most influential mystery cults. Edited and translated by A. S. Geden, the work serves as an essential guide to the origins, rituals, and theological underpinnings of Mithraism, a religion that once rivaled early Christianity in its reach across the ancient world.

The volume brings together a diverse array of literary and epigraphical evidence, offering readers direct access to the perspectives of classical authors and the inscriptions left by practitioners. Geden's insightful introduction provides critical context, exploring the Persian roots of the sun-god Mithras and the subsequent evolution of his worship into a structured, hierarchical faith popular among the Roman military and elite. By examining these select passages, students of history and religion can better understand the cultural and spiritual landscape of the Mediterranean during the first centuries of the Common Era.

This scholarly compilation remains a valuable resource for those seeking to uncover the mysteries of this subterranean faith and its lasting impact on Western religious history. It provides a unique window into the spiritual life of the Roman legionaries and the complex religious syncretism of late antiquity.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.