Archaeologists find signs of ancient men-only mysterious religion in Germany
German archaeologists have unearthed a temple dedicated to the god Mithras during recent excavations in the old town of Regensburg.
Since the building was originally constructed of wood, only a few building ruins have survived. Finds such as an inscribed votive stone and fragments of a metal votive plate clearly indicate that this place was used as a place of worship.
Other evidence of the still mysterious Mithras cult includes fragments of a ceramic vessel decorated with snakes, incense goblets and handled jugs. Experts assume that ritual feasts were an integral part of the cult of Mithras.
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Coins, including examples from the reign of Emperor Hadrian (117-138 AD), make it possible to date the temple to between 80 and 171 AD. This makes it the oldest of the nine known Mithraea from the Roman province of Raetia in what is now Bavaria.
Raetia, a Roman province in central Europe that existed from roughly the 1st century BC to the 5th century AD, encompassed parts of what is now southern Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and northern Italy.
The cult of Mithras or Mithraism was a mysterious religion. It was especially common in military and commercial centers, and Roman legionnaires were often among its followers. Only men were accepted. A local community usually consisted of around 15 to 40 members.
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In ancient Iran, Mithras was called “Mithra” and was the god of agreements, loyalty and justice. The Romans turned him into the sun god. The Roman cult of Mithras adopted many elements from Persian mythology, but also developed its own basic rituals and symbols. The “tauroctony” motif (from Latin bull) became central: Mithras kills the bull as an act of cosmic renewal.
The Romans had a graded system of initiation with what we know as seven levels: Corax (raven), Nymphus (groom), Miles (soldier), Leo (lion), Perses (Persian), Heliodromus (sun runner), and Pater (father), each with their own symbols, rituals, and possibly tests or ordeals.
With the spread of Christianity, the secret sect disappeared.
The significance of the discovery has only now become clear
The finds were made at the beginning of a construction project. In order to build new buildings in cities with a deep-rooted history like Regensburg, archaeologists must first be brought in. Experts actually made this discovery in 2023, but now, after intense research, its full meaning has become clear.
Like other Mithras temples, this wooden structure, approximately seven meters tall, was designed as a tall building and was partially buried in the ground. Followers of the mystery cult probably descended into the sanctuary via a ramp.
A piece of votive stone with an inscription; The text can no longer be decrypted. – Credit: Museen der Stadt Regensburg
It had a trench-like depression in the middle, and raised platforms were built on the sides where the faithful could sit or recline. After analyzing the findings, Stefan Reuter explained to Bavarian public broadcaster B that the designs of Mithra temples were modeled after caves, because one of the main motifs of mythology is Mithras killing a bull in a cave.
The temple was once lit by candles and oil lamps. The ceramic vessels and handled jugs found suggest that a large ritual feast was held. Analysis of food containers continues. It seems certain that quality food is consumed.
Finds from the temple will be exhibited at the Regensburg Historical Museum, which is currently redesigning the Roman galleries. The sanctuary of Mithras will play an important role in the new exhibition.
