The Roman Cult of Mithras: The God and His Mysteries (Paperback)

~ Manfred Clauss (Author) "It is convenient to term the Persian and Hellenistic deity Mitra, to distinguish him from the god of the Roman mystery-cult..." (more)
Key Phrases: Pannonia Superior, Sol Invictus, Germania Superior (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

In what he explains and demonstrates of the Roman version of the faith, Clauss can hardly be faulted ... [He] gives a good indication of the sociological implications of the religion in Europe, delineating the interaction of the community of its believers with Roman society ... The book is richly illustrated [with] good graphic material: an instructive map and fine outline drawings of rock and temple motifs and depictions, as well as ground plans of a temple. There are excellent and lucidly outlined descriptions of the initiation, the rituals and the seven grades, with the meaning of the symbolism and the text of inscriptions explained in a vivid way for the lay person ... [Clauss's] work constitutes the first simply written guidebook for the reader of this age and therefore has great merit as a work that is well organised and highly readable. This book is a welcome addition to Mithraic scholarship in English. [Clauss's] presentation is careful and concise, and gives a detailed presentation of the material evidence. A model of clarity. The author has included mention of important new finds in the notes of this English translation. There is a good up-to-date bibliography, compiled by Gordon, of works in English. The translation itself is very readable and smooth. The volume is attractively produced and carefully edited. Illustrations are well chosen and for the most part appear clear and sharp in the printed text. The book belongs in all college and university libraries ! The Roman Cult of Mithras is by far the best introduction to the subject now available in English, and advanced scholars will return to it constantly. In what he explains and demonstrates of the Roman version of the faith, Clauss can hardly be faulted ... [He] gives a good indication of the sociological implications of the religion in Europe, delineating the interaction of the community of its believers with Roman society ... The book is richly illustrated [with] good graphic material: an instructive map and fine outline drawings of rock and temple motifs and depictions, as well as ground plans of a temple. There are excellent and lucidly outlined descriptions of the initiation, the rituals and the seven grades, with the meaning of the symbolism and the text of inscriptions explained in a vivid way for the lay person ... [Clauss's] work constitutes the first simply written guidebook for the reader of this age and therefore has great merit as a work that is well organised and highly readable. This book is a welcome addition to Mithraic scholarship in English. [Clauss's] presentation is careful and concise, and gives a detailed presentation of the material evidence. A model of clarity. The author has included mention of important new finds in the notes of this English translation. There is a good up-to-date bibliography, compiled by Gordon, of works in English. The translation itself is very readable and smooth. The volume is attractively produced and carefully edited. Illustrations are well chosen and for the most part appear clear and sharp in the printed text. The book belongs in all college and university libraries ! The Roman Cult of Mithras is by far the best introduction to the subject now available in English, and advanced scholars will return to it constantly. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

The Mithras cult first became evident in Rome towards the end of the first century AD. During the next two centuries, it spread to the frontiers of the Western empire. Energetically suppressed by the early Christians, who frequently constructed their churches over the caves in which Mithraic rituals took place, the cult was extinct by the end of the fourth century. Since its publication in Germany, Manfred Clauss's introduction to the Roman Mithras cult has become widely accepted as the most reliable and readable account of this fascinating subject. For the English edition, Clauss has updated the book to reflect recent research and new archaeological discoveries.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (March 21, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415929784
• ISBN-13: 978-0415929783
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #678,441 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent overview, January 8, 2004

By	W.R.Pearse (Ipswich, Suffolk United Kingdom) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The Roman cult of Mithras is known to us from a large collection of its cave-temples, known as Mithraea, a certain number of inscriptions from a Mithraeum, and some sculpture. In addition there are scanty references to the cult in the Christian fathers, and a handful of other references. The cult was a mystery religion, and its beliefs and rituals must be inferred from this scanty base. Wild theorisings are unfortunately common.

The entire data base was published in the early 20th century by Franz Cumont. (An English language version of his conclusions is still available). He believed Mithras to be an importation of the ancient Persian deity Mitra, doubtless influenced by descriptions of Mithras as Persian. His work remained standard until the 1970's. Since then many theories have been published -- those of David Ulansey perhaps have attracted much attention.

This book by Manfred Clauss is a careful piece of scholarship, that will be of great use to the newcomer to Mithras studies. He believes the cult was invented in Rome itself, and points out that the 3 earliest inscriptions and the first literary mention, all ca. AD90, are indisputably by people with close links to the city of Rome. The story is taken through various aspects of the cult, as illustrated from the monuments and whatever literary information is available. Parallels with Christian practise are mentioned, but Clauss dismisses the idea of influence in either direction, preferring to point out the shared heritage of oriental religion in classical times. He highlights the close relation of Mithraism with other mystery religions, and rightly is sceptical about the idea that Mithraism always involved believing the same things. Regional and temporal variants are documented.

In short, no better introduction to the subject could be devised. Richard Gordon's translation is excellent -- no hint of another language underlying it comes through --, and his choice of translations for ancient texts likewise.

The only thing that I missed was a list of all the ancient literary sources, or indication of where to find these. The illustrations are far better chosen than those of Cumont. In short, the book is a gem.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Difficult, January 3, 2007

By	Edward D. Plymouth (Philadelphia, PA. United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Please do not be put off by the title of this review. I did enjoy this book. It is somewhat of a difficult read since it deals with a religion and culture which can be considered radically different from any in the present era (my opinion).

The prevailing wisdom is that Mithraism is nearly identical to Christianity.
After reading this work of Professor Manfred Clauss, you will think otherwise.

Mithraism has very little in common with Christianity. The reader will find interesting the sacred rites of Mithraism and the seven levels of it's priesthood. Mithraism has a curious history. In the second and third centuries AD it was a competitor for adherents with the various pagan religions along with Christianity. Mithraism was a religion open only to men and the elect. An adherent had to endure several initiation rites. Mithraism could also be considered an ancient secret society (in my opinion).

If you enjoy reading about the early Christian era or The Roman Empire, this book is a valuable resource.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mithras - why everyone should know him, April 25, 2007

By	David Rankine "The StarSorceror" (Monmouthshire, Wales) - See all my reviews

This is a truly wonderful work, and an absolute must for anyone with an interest in the pagan mystery religions. It is such a refreshing change to read an academically rigorous work that also manages to be a riveting read.
This book provides the most reliable and informative information available on Mithras and his cult, updated to reflect recent archaeological discoveries. Widely illustrated with 124 pictures, the book covers all aspects of what is known about Mithraism, and includes chapters on The growth of the cult, The Mithraeum, Sacred Narrative, Initiation, Utensils, the , and Mithras and Other Gods, Priestly Grades, Mithras and Christ, as well as chapters setting the context for all the material. This book is an essential for every bookshelf, that rare occurrence of material presented beautifully by an expert that leaves you wiser and hungry for more.
If you have any interest whatsoever in Mithras or the development of pagan religions ... there is no hesitation when I say ...Buy it!