Mithraeum

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Mithraeum is a place of worship for the followers of the mystery religion of Mithraism. They were often constructed underground or in a cave to resemble the cave where Mithras is said to have slain the sacred bull (compare the very similar bull slaying depicted in the Enkidu seal). The word has come to be used in the context of any secret place used for secret rituals.

Preserved mithraea:

In the city of Rome:

• Mithraeum of the Circus Maximus.
• Barberini Mithraeum.
• Mithraeum of San Clemente, under the basilica of San Clemente.
• Mithraeum of the Baths of Caracalla.
• Castra Peregrinorum mithraeum, under the church of Santo Stefano Rotondo.
• Mithraeum under the Santa Prisca basilica.

Other mithraea

• Temple of Mithras, London, England.
• Carrawburgh, Hadrian's Wall, England.
• Consecration Altars of the Mithraeum Mogontiacum, Germany.

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Last updated on Wednesday February 27, 2008 at 16:11:11 PST (GMT -0800)
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