Mithra

Photographer: Ann Ronan Pictures

Mithra, or Mitra, first appears as a god in the Vedic Hymns, where he is mentioned some hundred and seventy times. He would appear to have been a human being who became elevated to divine rank after his death, which occurred before the Aryans reached India. In the Rig-Veda he was one of the twelve Adityas. With the development of the Hindu religion into Brahmanism the figure of Mitra gradually vanished. The Persians, however, made him one of the Ameshas as the ‘genius of Heavenly Light’. He was the chief of a heavenly host of Ahura, whom he led against the evil forces of the Devas. In the reform of the Mazdean religion arranged by Zoroaster, Mithra was reduced in status from the rank of Amesha to that of Yazata, where he stood between the opposing forces of good and evil, always willing to assist in the saving of souls.

   The worship of Mithra is always associated with the killing of bulls. It was introduced into the Roman world from Cappadocia. By the time of Xerxes I, it had spread into Greece, and by that of Pompey the Great it had reached Rome. It was an ascetic religion of truth, purity, and right for men only—women worshipped Kybele. The doctrine and mysteries became slightly modified in their passage from Persia to Rome, and included a form of baptism. The great power was Zervan Akarana, or Aeon. It was a Dualistic religion with good and evil equally balanced and its background was the purification of character by chastity and continence. Had it not been for the appearance of Christianity Mithraism would perhaps now be the religion of Europe.

Reference 

Who’s Who in non-classical mythology . John Keegan. 2014.