Western Civilization I / Unit 8 WC1 0707 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Mystery Religions: Mithras, Sol Invictus, Isis
Captions available
The idea
Roman religion was diverse, and mystery cults from the Hellenistic kingdoms offered salvation through rites, with multiple memberships allowed. Mithras, a Zoroastrian-derived god of sun and rebirth, drew soldiers; Sol Invictus was venerated by emperors; Isis ran the largest cult.
In practice
Some historians imagine a Mithraic empire without Constantine, the anchor says.
Where people slip
The counterfactual is attributed. Isis could never be purged.
Your place on the trail
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