MITHRAISM Meaning and
Definition
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Mithraism refers to an ancient Persian religious cult that was widespread in the Roman Empire between the 1st and 4th centuries AD. It took its name from the deity Mithras, who was originally a Persian god associated with light, truth, and contracts. Mithraism had a distinct belief system and set of rituals, and its followers were primarily male initiates known as Mithraists or Mithraeists.
At the core of Mithraism was the concept of a cosmic struggle between the forces of light, embodied by Mithras, and the forces of darkness. Mithraists believed that Mithras was the mediator between the divine realm and humanity, and that he underwent a series of important events or "mysteries," such as being born from a rock, slaying a bull, and sharing a meal with the sun god.
The rituals and practices of Mithraism were highly secretive and accessible only to initiates. Mithraic temples, called "mithraea," were generally underground and featured distinct structures, including an altar and a representation of Mithras slaying the bull. These sites were used for various ceremonies, including initiation rites, communal meals, and worship.
Mithraism was particularly popular among soldiers and merchants in the Roman Empire due to its emphasis on bravery, loyalty, and social hierarchy. However, with the rise of Christianity and the conversion of Emperor Constantine to Christianity in the 4th century AD, Mithraism gradually declined and eventually disappeared. As a result, much of our knowledge about Mithraism comes from archaeological remains and ancient writings from its time.
Common Misspellings for MITHRAISM
- nithraism
- kithraism
- jithraism
- muthraism
- mjthraism
- mkthraism
- mothraism
- m9thraism
- m8thraism
- mirhraism
- mifhraism
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- miyhraism
- mi6hraism
- mi5hraism
- mitgraism
- mitbraism
- mitnraism
- mitjraism
Etymology of MITHRAISM
The word "Mithraism" is derived from the name of the ancient Persian god Mithra. Mithra was a Zoroastrian deity associated with light, divinity, and contracts. The religion of Mithraism, also known as the Mithraic mysteries or the cult of Mithras, was a mystery religion that became popular in the Roman Empire from the 1st to 4th centuries AD. The term "Mithraism" is a modern coinage used to describe this religion that centered around the worship of Mithra.
Similar spelling words for MITHRAISM
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