The Roman Cult of Mithras on Hadrian’s Wall (Rituals and Roman Britain)
Channel: Celtic History Decoded
Date: 2023-06-25

Check out my merch store and please help support this channel - https://celtic-history-decoded.creator-spring.com/ - Full terms and conditions can be found on Spring’s website. 

Please Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/CelticHistory 

Please support this channel on Patreon and get ad-free videos and other benefits: https://www.patreon.com/historydecoded

Please donate through PayPal using this link: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=QFB9ZECHZJDF6 – chdecoded@gmail.com 

Subscribe to Celtic History Decoded: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCS3M_uNHH2iOJkpGhkO2SA?sub_confirmation=1

Follow Celtic History Decoded on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/celtichistorydecoded/ 

Subscribe to World History Decoded – https://www.youtube.com/@worldhistorydecoded 

The Roman Cult of Mithras on Hadrian’s Wall

Despite Hadrian’s Wall being over 2,000km from Rome, in the cold, damp northern reaches of the Roman Empire, a Cult popular in Rome reached as far as the wall in the north of England today, quite remarkable considering that the cult is inspired by a Persian deity from the east. 

The Cult of Mithras, also known as Mithraism or the Mithraic mysteries , was a Roman mystery religion centered on the god Mithras or Mithra, an ancient Iranian deity known as the god of covenant, light, oath, justice and the sun. The Roman imagery differed from the ancient Iranian imagery however.

There were definitely masonic vibes to Mithraism. They had a sophisticated system initiation, with seven grades or degrees of initiation, and initiates were known as syndexioi, meaning those "united by the handshake." Passage from one to the next grade required an ordeal of mental or physical strength, in the face of a real or threatened peril, with membership popular among soldiers. 

This Cult of Mithras was clearly very popular among Roman troops stationed on Hadrian’s Wall. A sculpture of Mithras was discovered at the Housesteads section of Hadrian’s Wall, showing the birth of Mithras from an egg-shaped zodiac representing the cosmos. Although no longer fully visible, a Temple of Mithras was once located at Housesteads as well, with the remains of a relief of a bull-slaying scene, a common motif in Mithraism, have also been found at Housesteads. 

Mithraic temples were dark and mysterious structures, intended to evoke the legendary cave where Mithras killed the bull. Inside, secret ceremonies would be followed by ritual feasts, the devotees reclining on benches running along the side walls. 

Just east of Housesteads at another section of Hadrian’s Wall, near Carrawburgh fort, the remains of another Temple of Mithras have been found and are still visible today. This is an artist impression of what the temple would have looked like in its day, showing a ritual that could have taken place. 

Sources:

Celtic History Decoded: The Secret Roman Mystery Religion: The Cult of the Mithras God in Roman Britain https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgQE26IvckM 

Celtic History Decoded: The Truth About Hadrian’s Wall, Rome's False Northern Frontier (History Documentary) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogxw-rbePh8 

Scotland History Tours, What They Don't Say About Hadrian's Wall https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EZpYXcXRII 

Hadrian's Wall | 10 Places That Made England with Dan Snow https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mHOtDbiFjI 

Why Was Hadrian’s Wall Built? | Animated History https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmmfS4Z4Jig 

Hadrian’s Wall, Britannica - https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hadrians-Wall 

Hadrian’s Wall - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadrian's_Wall 

Antonine Wall https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonine_Wall  
Our History - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTgFE8R6_Os 

The Bridgeness Roman Distance Slab - https://www.nms.ac.uk/explore-our-collections/stories/scottish-history-and-archaeology/the-bridgeness-roman-distance-slab/   

Lilia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lilia 

Celtic History Decoded - What Scottish Tribal Confederation Fought the Roman Empire? Meet The Maeatae (Dumyat Hill, Ochil’s) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veAYaWV_kQ0 

Antonine Wall: Rough Castle https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/antonine-wall-rough-castle/history/

MITHRAS AND EASTERN RELIGION ON HADRIAN’S WALL Mithras and Eastern Religion on Hadrian’s Wall | English Heritage (english-heritage.org.uk) 

CARRAWBURGH ROMAN FORT AND TEMPLE OF MITHRAS - HADRIAN'S WALL Carrawburgh Roman Fort and Temple of Mithras - Hadrian's Wall | English Heritage (english-heritage.org.uk) 

CARRAWBURGH ROMAN FORT AND TEMPLE OF MITHRAS - HADRIAN'S WALL History of Carrawburgh Roman Fort | English Heritage (english-heritage.org.uk) 

#hadrianswall #history #romanempire