(Community Matters) I wasn’t familiar with mithraeums,the place of worship where (especially) Roman soldiers practiced the mystery religion of Mithraism.
Since the site we visited is still being excavated, I better not identify it. Our guides, AAR fellows in Roman art history (post doctorate) and Roman archeology hosted us for tours of this site as well as Case Romane del Celio and San Clemente
“The Mithraic Mysteries or Mysteries of Mithras (also Mithraism) was a mystery religion centered on the god Mithras, became popular among the military in the Roman Empire, from the 1st to 4th centuries CE. Information on the cult is based mainly on interpretations of the many surviving monuments. The most characteristic of these are depictions of Mithras as being born from a rock, and as sacrificing a bull. His worshippers had a complex system of seven grades of initiation, with ritual meals. They met in underground temples, which survive in large numbers.” (pardon the Wikipedia citation but I’m rushed to pack and meet Steven in London this morning)
Community Matters 