MITHRA TODAY

While the cult dedicated to Mithra remains little-known and shrouded in mystery, it has nevertheless come down through the centuries, from the discovery of the first Mithraic monuments during the 15^th century to present times. 

It was not until the 19^th century that real studies were carried out into Mithraism. Franz Cumont’s 1899 work The Mysteries of Mithra remains to this day a worldwide reference on the subject; at the time of its publication it offered a whole new perspective of the god. Research is still going on today, along with archaeological digs, each adding their discoveries.

But the cult is not only of interest to the scientific world; the literary, artistic and even musical worlds have all claimed some of its aspects. The most popular image of Mithraic iconography is, of course, the tauroctony, a key element that has fascinated some artists.

From Jacques-Louis David’s sketches to ancient writings and works, a poem, graphic designs and songs, the Mithra legend has captured the imagination and even found its way into the most contemporary arts such as comic strips, film and video games.

Finally, there is a religious community in present day Iraq, the “Yarsani” or “Kaka’i” that still carries out the “Pir Shalyar” ceremony which has many Mithraic echoes. Their dogma actually finds its roots in ancient Indo-Iranian religions and particularly in the Mithra cult through the practice of tauroctony and the grotto cult. Another fundamental aspect of Yarsanism is metempsychosis, the transmigration of the soul after death into the body of another human or animal. This is also one of the basic doctrines of Mithraism.