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survivals of the mystery cults
Posted:
Fri Jan 16, 2004 5:59 amby Lucius Tyrrhenus Garrulus
SALVETE OMNES, S.V.B.E.V.
Does anyone know if the "mystery cults" continued into the late Empire?
By mystery cults I mean Mithra, Cybele, Isis, etc.
I'm not so much interested in their origins as I am in the possibility that they may have continued into the late Empire.
MULTOS GRATIAS ET VALETE BENE!
Posted:
Sat Jan 17, 2004 11:19 pmby Gnaeus Dionysius Draco
What do you mean by the late Empire?
According to what I know, the Mithraic cult was at the height of its popularity in the later (3rd-4th century) Empire. Aurelianus (end of 3rd century) was known for the cult of Sol Invictus, which, although little is known about it, was a syncretic cult that incorporated many elements from Mithraism (which was popular with many military men).
Vale!
Draco
Posted:
Mon Jan 19, 2004 3:35 pmby Horatius Piscinus
Salve Garrule
I too would like to know what you mean by Late Empire. Fourth century, after Constantine? Yes, the mysteries consitnued. The Eleusian mysteries I think were closed down in the 390's. There continued active communities for centuries afterward, well into the 13th century in some places, and some would claim they were never completely extinguished.
Vale bene
Posted:
Tue Jan 20, 2004 1:11 amby Lucius Tyrrhenus Garrulus
M Moravi Horati Piscine wrote:There continued active communities for centuries afterward, well into the 13th century in some places, and some would claim they were never completely extinguished.
SALVETE OMNES!
Right there... that's what I was getting at.
Christianity would also be listed as one of the eastern "mystery cults," no?
If so, then we know for sure that that at least one has survived until today.
MULTAS GRATIAS VALETEQUE BENE