W. J. Phythian-Adams has written: 'Mithraism' -- subject(s): Mithraism
Judahism was developed by Abraham
Roger Beck has written: 'A brief history of ancient astrology' -- subject(s): Astrology, History 'Mithraism since Franz Cumont' -- subject(s): Mithraism
Yes. Mithraism was a strong competitor to Christianity in the first two centuries, but had a fatal weakness, whatever its theological truth. Mithraism only accepted men as full members, whereas Christianity actively sought out women as converts, knowing that if the wives converted to Christianity, men would often follow.
Mithraism was not an imperial cult, it was a military one. It thrived under several emperors. We know little about it as its rites were secret. We do know that it originated in ancient Persia and that the god Mithras was always seen killing a bull.
Mithraism was the male only religion popular with the Roman soldiers.
Philospphy!. Mithras was the ancient Persian God of light and truth, a sun god as it were.
Maarten Jozef Vermaseren has written: 'The excavations in the Mithraeum of the Church of Santa Prisca in Rome' -- subject(s): Excavations (Archaeology), Mithraism, Roman Temples, Rome, Rome (City) Santa Prisca (Church), Temples, Roman 'Mithras' -- subject(s): Mithraism
Hans Schmeja has written: 'Iranisches und Griechisches in den Mithrasmysterien' -- subject(s): Addresses, essays, lectures, Mithraism
Some of the catacombs started as Roman quarries, and were taken over by Mithraists, who believed that Mithras must be worshipped underground. In other cases, the Mithraists excavated their own underground places of worship. By the third century CE, Mithraism was in decline and Christians began to take over the catacombs as burial places. It seems that the Christians felt that by burying their dead in catacombs that had belonged to Mithraism, they were dishonouring that religion.
Walter O. Moeller has written: 'The Mithraic origin and meanings of the rotas-sator square' -- subject(s): Mithraism, Rotas-Sator square
AnswerThe Roman religion known as Mithraism was open to men, but women could not become members. Although very popular for some two or three centuries, Mithraism's failure to recruit women was a fatal weakness that led to its downfall. Christianity, which arose at around the same time, actively recruited women, knowing that they would bring their children up as Christians, as well as explain the new religion to the men in their lives.