Latest / Marcus Aurelius: Rome's Philosopher King — Fexingo History
Marcus Aurelius and the Mithraic Mysteries
While Marcus Aurelius is remembered as the Stoic philosopher-king, a shadow religion was rising beneath his feet. This episode explores the cult of Mithras, the mystery religion that captivated Roman soldiers and merchants across the empire. We trace the origins of this Persian-influenced faith to its underground temples, or mithraea, found from London to Syria. Lucas and Luna discuss how Mithraism’s rituals of initiation, communal dining, and cosmic symbolism appealed to men in a way traditional state religion did not. We examine the archaeological evidence at Ostia Antica and the military…
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