Introduction
Hello everyone, Alex Iles here! Today, we’re delving into the fascinating world of two very interesting Roman deities: Soul and Mithras. We’ll explore their origins, their worship, and their impact on Roman society.
Sol: The Unconquered Sun
Let’s start with Sol, the Roman representation of the sun. Some historians believe his worship didn’t become prominent until the later Roman period, but evidence suggests he was consistently worshipped throughout the empire. He was quite important in Rome and had temples dedicated to him, but his cult truly gained momentum in the third century.
Emperor Aurelian played a significant role in elevating Soul’s status. He chose Soul as his chief deity, worshipping him as Sol Invictus, the unconquered sun. Aurelian established a large college of priests to worship Soul and continued to promote his importance throughout his reign.
Some historians even suggest that Aurelian might have transformed the Roman Empire into a monotheistic religion centered on Sol. This idea caused some concern among Romans, particularly after their negative experience with Elagabalus, who had declared himself a representation of a Syrian sun god.
After Aurelian’s death, Sol was not sidelined; he was paired with the cult of Mithras, creating the concept of Mithras Sol Invictus. Sol is often depicted as youthful, with a nimbus of light around his head, which some believe influenced the halos seen around Christian saints later on. He was sometimes compared to Apollo.
Mithras: The Eastern Mystery Cult
Now, let’s turn to Mithras. He originated as a Persian deity, but like Jupiter Dolichenus, he was transformed into a Roman god. The Romans adopted the name Mithras and incorporated stereotypes of easterners into his image, creating a new god.
Mithras became the central figure of a mystery cult that was incredibly popular among Roman soldiers. It was a male-only cult, with secret meetings where initiates learned the mysteries of the universe as they progressed through the ranks. This made it particularly appealing to military officers.
The cult had a hierarchical structure, with members progressing from crow to father. This structure likely served to unify groups of people, particularly within the military. It fostered a strong cult identity and reinforced discipline.
Mithraea, the temples of Mithras, were found throughout the Roman Empire, including on the Rhine frontier and Hadrian’s Wall. These temples were typically dark, with raised platforms for communal meals, a practice that was later criticized by Christian apologists.
Mithras was often paired with Soul, creating Mithras Sol Invictus. This combination emphasized Mithras as a bringer of light and a deity with power over the universe.
The Mithraic cult began to decline in the fourth century, possibly due to the rise of Christianity. However, its closed-door nature and exclusion of women likely contributed to its eventual decline. Unlike the more open religions of Roman paganism and Christianity, the Mithraic cult was limited in its ability to expand.
Brocolitia Mithraeum
In the Great North Museum: Hancock, you can see altars discovered in the Brocolitia Mithraeum. This temple was dedicated to Mithras Sol Invictus. The commanding officer at Brocolitia combined the deities of Sol Invictus and Mithras, creating a unique theological blend.
This cult, with its mysteries and hierarchical structure, likely served to secure power for the incoming officer at his new position on Hadrian’s Wall.
Conclusion
Soul and Mithras represent two fascinating aspects of Roman religious life. Soul, the unconquered sun, and Mithras, the eastern mystery cult, both played significant roles in the religious landscape of the Roman Empire.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this exploration of these intriguing deities. As always, please like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments below. And if you’d like to support me further, check out my Patreon. Until next time, stay safe and well!
