Allan Di Donato

The Mithraic Origins of Christianity Allan Di Donato

Is the New Testament picture of Jesus partially based on the worship of an ancient Persian deity known as Mithra? Did Christianity borrow from the Roman mystery cult of Mithraism? This has been the contention for some time. Mithraism predates Christianity by centuries. Mithras was born on December 25th, died and was resurrected, his followers were baptized, and his worshippers gathered in celebration on the day of the sun. Parallels between the two figures abound. Or do they? Taking a look at the ancient literary and archaeological material, as well as recent scholarship, this book analyzes these claims, and attempts to reconstruct a picture of the ancient mystery cult known as Mithraism. Starting with what we know about the god from ancient Hittite, Vedic, Persian, and Zoroastrian sources, and moving on to the fully developed form of Mithraism, with its shadowy subterranean sanctuaries and its uniquely stunning iconography, characteristic of the Greco-Roman period, this book will give a comprehensive introduction to one of the most obscure yet fascinating cults of the ancient world. Where and when did it originate, what were its practices, who were its devotees, and how did it influence early Christianity?