Today, I would like to welcome author, Pam Allegretto. She’s this month’s guest blogger at Historical Authors Across Time, talking about the god, Mithras, and Mithraism in ancient Rome. Learn more about Pamela at the end of this post.
While conducting research for my World War 2 novel Bridge of Sighs and Dreams,I wanted to incorporate some of the ancient underground caverns used by the Resistance to smuggle Italian Jews out of Rome in order to avoid Nazi arrests. The caverns that most interested me were those created by the Worshippers of Mithras.
Who was Mithras?
Mithras is the Latin (and Greek) form of the name of an ancient Iranian god, Mithra. Mithraism began to spread throughout the Roman Empire in the first century AD.
Mithraism’s strongest appeals were its doctrines of the immortality of the soul, the resurrection of the body, and the belief that through Mithra’s help, the faithful would reach heaven. However, the key “secrets” of this “mystery cult” are unknown, as no written sources by members survive. It has been determined that the faithful pledged good moral conduct and brotherly respect regardless of social standing. Slaves and manual laborers might stand higher in the congregation than the aristocracy. Mithraism began as the religion of the poor and servile classes until the second century AD when it was taken up by the Imperial Court and educated classes. Members of the Roman army comprised a large portion of the membership, (some refer to Mithraism as the “soldier’s religion”). As a seemingly all-inclusive religion, Mithraism lacked one large demography: women.
Temples of Worship
Temples of Mithras (Mithraeum) were dug below ground or converted from natural caves. Mithraic temples were common throughout the Roman Empire where Roman legions had been stationed, with considerable numbers found in Rome, Ostia, Numidia, Dalmatia, Britain, and along the Rhine/Danube frontier. In addition, Mithraic temple ruins have been discovered in Greece, Egypt, and Syria.
Because the Mithraic Temples were built underground, their contents and rich iconography have remained well preserved. In every Mithraeum the centerpiece was a representation of Mithras killing a sacred bull: an act called the tauroctony. The image may be either a relief or a freestanding statue with or without accompanying iconography. Mithras is always depicted clothed in Anatolian costume and wearing a Phrygian cap, kneeling on the bull and holding it by the nostrils with his left hand, while stabbing it with his right. As he does so, he looks over his shoulder away from the bull. In some wall iconography, Mithras faces toward the figure of Sol. There are contradictory schools of thought as to the meaning of the tauroctony. One is that the figures represent characters out of Iranian mythology; another premise is that the characters are a series of stars and constellations.
Christianity and Mithraism
It is believed that the rise of Christianity doomed Mithraism due partly to the elaborate initiation rites that limited its numbers of adherents, and to its exclusion of women. Emperor Constantine merged Mithraism with Christianity. Even though he declared himself a Christian, he maintained his ties to the Mithra cult. He retained the title “Pontifus Maximus”the high priest. On his coins were inscribed: “Sol Invicto comiti” which means, “committed to the invincible sun.” This new blend of the two faiths, he officially proclaimed as Christianity.
To read more about this fascinating religion, I recommend: The Origins of the Mithraic Mysteries by David Ulansey, and Life in Ancient Rome by F.R. Cowell. Further information and excellent photographs of Mithraic iconography can be found online at the Wikipedia free encyclopedia.
Bridge of Sighs and Dreams by Pamela Allegretto
Nazi-occupied Rome sets the stage for Bridge of Sighs and Dreams, where the lives of two women collide in an arena of deception, greed, and sacrifice.
Following an allied attack, Angelina Rosini flees to Rome from her bombed-out village and a ruthless Nazi officer bent on revenge. In Rome, the spirited portrait artist channels her creativity into the art of survival for herself and her young daughter. Unwilling to merely endure, and armed with ingenuity, wit, and unyielding optimism, she enters the shadow world of the Resistance where she zigzags through a labyrinth of compassionate allies and cunning spies.
Meanwhile, Lidia Corsini quenches her lust for power and wealth by turning in Jews to the Nazi Police attaché with whom she has formed an alliance. Her spiral into immorality accelerates as swiftly as the Jewish population dwindles, and soon neither her husband nor her son is immune to her madness.
Once Angelina discovers the consequences of Lidia’s greed, she conspires to put an end to the treacheries; but in doing so, she becomes the target of Lidia’s most sinister plot.
Bridge of Sighs and Dreams is a story of betrayal, dignity, and purpose that highlights the brutality toward Italian citizens, under both Mussolini’s Fascist regime and the Nazi occupation, and illustrates the tenacity of the human spirit.
About Pamela Allegretto
In addition to her historical fiction: Bridge of Sighs and Dreams, Pamela’s traditionally published books include L’Alba di Domani, and Immaginiboth are dual-language poetry books written in collaboration with Luciano Somma, two-time winner of Italy’s Silver Medal of the President of the Republic. Her translations are included in four other dual-language poetry books. Her writing has appeared in Italian literary journals that include: The English Anthology of The Italian-Australian Writer’s Literary Academy, Omero, La Mia Isola, and Poeti Nella Societa`.Her art is collected worldwide.
Thanks for this fascinating history. I loved Pamela’s novel and cannot recommend it highly enough!
Thank you – Patricia for your kind words.
Thank you, Cinzia, for inviting me to contribute to your lovely website. I am honored.