The Roman Cults that Rivaled Christianity (Video)
The Roman Empire was home to various cults that vied for prominence alongside Christianity. Among these were the worship of Sol, Mithras, and Elagabal. Sol, the Sun god, was revered by the Romans as a source of warmth and light, with modest sanctuaries dedicated to him throughout Rome. Although often associated with Apollo, Sol remained a minor deity until later emperors elevated his status.
In the second century, the cult of Mithras emerged, characterized by its secretive male-only worship groups. Ritual meals were held in cave-like sanctuaries, with cosmic symbolism playing a crucial role. The seven grades of initiation corresponded to the seven planets, and Mithras was frequently depicted with the Sun god, leading to his title "Sol Invictus Mithras."
Elagabal, another solar deity from Syria, gained brief prominence during Emperor Elagabalus's reign. A grand sanctuary was built, and the god’s image, a conical black meteorite, was paraded through Rome. However, this cult declined rapidly after the emperor's assassination.
The significance of Sol Invictus grew under Emperor Aurelian, who elevated the Sun priests to high ranks, established a major festival, and constructed an opulent temple. Contrary to earlier beliefs, Aurelian's Sol Invictus was likely the traditional Roman Sol, not a new deity from Syria. Aurelian’s devotion set a precedent that continued with subsequent emperors, including Constantine, who issued coins featuring Sol Invictus even after converting to Christianity.
While neither Mithraism nor Sol Invictus rivaled Christianity in transforming the spiritual landscape of the Roman Empire, they left lasting legacies. The influence of these solar cults is seen in traditions like the December 25 celebration of the Sun's Nativity, potentially influencing the date of Christmas, and the designation of Sunday as a day of worship.
Top image: Statue of Mithras sacrificing the bull. Second half of 2nd century AD. Originally found in Rome. Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Venice, Italy. Source: Hispalois/ CC BY-SA 4.0
