The remains of the temple of Persian Mithra (Mithras) in London

Nabarz
by Nabarz
31-Aug-2009
 

London Mithraeum was founded c240-50AD. Its remains were rediscovered in 1952.

Filmed in remains of Temple of Mithras in London.

Payam Nabarz is interviewed by Dr Robert Beckford for Channel 4, filmed by Juniper TV.

The video gives an overview of some aspects of Mithraism, the ancient Roman mystery religion popular in the Roman Legions, which had its origins in Persia and the Persian Mithra or Mehr.

Nabarz is author of 'The Mysteries of Mithras: The Pagan Belief That Shaped the Christian World' & Editor of Mithras Reader.

For further info see:
//astore.amazon.co.uk/pan05-21

Balatarin
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more from Nabarz
 
Darius Kadivar

Le Bonnet Phrygien

by Darius Kadivar on Tue Sep 01, 2009 07:22 AM PDT

I always wondered if the Bonnet Phrygien that is the symbol of the French Republic was not inspired from the Persian God Mithra. Apparently there is a connection :

//aramis.obspm.fr/~heydari/divers/marianne.html

DK

 

 


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Afshin_Afshar

re: This was my regular site to visit

by Afshin_Afshar on Mon Aug 31, 2009 12:59 PM PDT

Dear  ramintork,

The book that I mentioned hits on quite a few of the points you listed. The connections, although a few steps removed, were amazing.  

Afshin


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Afshin_Afshar

In Search of Zarathustra: Across Iran and Central Asia to ......

by Afshin_Afshar on Mon Aug 31, 2009 12:53 PM PDT

Dear Nabarz, 

This is very interesting, thank you for sharing. I am getting a copy of the book for sure.

Another good book related to this topic that I read recently is Paul Kriwaczek's 

In Search of Zarathustra: Across Iran and Central Asia to Find the World's First Prophet 

Facinating topic.  

Afshin


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ramintork

This was my regular site to visit

by ramintork on Mon Aug 31, 2009 12:50 PM PDT

I used to work around the corner from here, and on one of the winter solstice nights ( Shabe Yalda) I dropped a flower on the site.

Although I'm an atheist, I have affection for the Iranian connection to this site and the traditions of the religion.

Mithraism is like a sugar that dissolved into many human cultures.

Here are some intersting facts about Mithraism:

  • There were seven levels raven, bridegroom, soldier, lion, Persian, sun-courier, father ( Peereh Moghan, or father magi).
  • Our flag of lion and Sun are the two stages of the seven steps
  • Roman soldiers and Merchants became Mithraists and brought it to the Roman Empire.
  • It was so popular that Thanks to Romans later Mithraism was merged with Chritianity as Mitra was of virgin birth, had twelve deciples, was resurrected and as we all know Christ's birthday was moved to Mitra's birthday i.e. Winter solstice.
  • The peaceful part of christinaity i.e. turn the other cheek and forgiveness etc. is more similar to Mithraism than judaism. Although we don't know a great deal about it we know this out of the part that was passed on to zoroastrianism where Mitra became an angel rather than God. Today we have the story of the three Kings who earlier were the three Magis to know about the connection.
  • Mithraism became the undercover religion of Sufis and under the guise of Islam it is practiced today, although it is integrated.
  • Mithraism was the basis for freemasonary or at least it influenced it.
  • Mithraism probably goes back to very old common religions of Sun worship, and we see evidnce if this tradition everywehere be it in Europe in the form of Stone Henge or Egypt.

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