Between the 1st and 4th centuries, Mithraism developed throughout the Roman world. Much material exists, but textual evidence is scarce. The only ancient work that fills this gap is Porphyry’s intense and complex essay.
Roger Beck describes Mithraism from the point of view of the initiate engaging with the religion and its rich symbolic system in thought, word, ritual action, and cult life.
The Mithraeum of the Seven Spheres is of great importance for the understanding of the cult, because of its black-and-white mosaics depicting the planets, the zodiac and related elements.
The author of this ingenious memoir believes that the Greek myth of Orion is the very basis of Roman Mithriacism. His starting point is an astronomical interpretation of tauroctony.
The Aion / Phanes relief, currently on display in the Gallerie Estensi, Moneda, is associated with two Eastern mysteric religions: Mithraism and Orphism.
TNMM327 – CIMRM 695, 696
Euphrosy/n[e] et Felix. P(ecunia) p(osuit) / Felix pater.