THE END OF THE CULT

The rapid and brutal end of Mithraism cannot be explained solely by the rise of Christianity and its official establishment through the edicts that Roman Emperor Theodosius promulgated in 392. These prohibited the worship of pagan gods, even very discreetly. Christianity certainly played a leading role in the vandalism, torching and destruction of Gallo-Roman temples. However, the two religious movements seem to have coexisted and cohabited from the 1st to the 4th century; Mithra was no more of a rival to Christianity than any other god from the Roman pantheon.

The serious economic crises that beset the Roman Empire during the 3rd century also led to the voluntary closure of some temples. No longer having the means to keep them up and running, devotees had no choice but to abandon them. The migration of followers or the death of the Pater were other reasons why some temples shut their doors.

On top of that, the period of Barbarian invasions from the end of the 4th century on also played a role in the cult’s disappearance, especially near the military defence lines known as limes. The Roman army had retreated under pressure from various peoples from Eastern Europe and some mithraea were abandoned along the way. The Barbarians looted and decapitated sculptures which were symbols of the power of Rome.

At Les Bolards, the statues suffered the same fate and traces of fire have been found in several areas. The presence of Christianity at the site can hardly be disputed, but the abandoning of the town was doubtless caused by the arrival of migrant peoples.

The cult gradually faded away, unable to withstand the turmoil that swept the Roman Empire during the 5th century.