Mysteries of Mithra

Rating:
Summary: A classic in its time, but outdated
Review: A century ago, Franz Cumont gathered together all the primary evidence about Mithraism: mentions in literary texts, inscriptions, sculptures, coins, excavated Mithraea. This he published in French in two volumes, "Textes et monuments figures relatifs aux mysteres de Mithra" (Brussels: Lamartin, 1896-9). This book is the English language translation of his conclusions from that evidence, not the evidence itself. It is thus very light on footnotes, and the quality of the drawn illustrations is not great, even in the original.

Cumont believed that the Roman cult of Mithras was derived from the ancient Persian worship of Ahura-Mazda, or Mithra, and identical to it. He was led to this view by mentions of Persia in connection with the cult, although since 'the Persian' was one of the stages of initiation, this is not necessarily so. Since about 1970, scholars have rejected this view, and felt that Mithras is a Graeco-Roman god, of a standard mystery-religion type, which only nods to Persian practises.

A better book to read is Manfred Clauss, The Roman Cult of Mithras. This summary of Cumont is now only of historical interest.

Rating:
Summary: Welcome to Mithraism
Review: Cumont's work is generally considered to be the quintessential work on the Mithraic cult. His book presents a well researched and easily readably description of this religion. Mostly he focuses upon how the religion was spread in the Roman Empire, where it originated and some of its basic dogmas. However, if you are looking for a description of the secret initiation rituals you will have to look elsewhere. While he does mention these rituals in brief, there is no extensive description or analysis on them.

Rating:
Summary: An awful reprint of a good book.
Review: This reprint is of a lower-than-fax quality.
Take page 19 for instance: the seven coins of the original edition are reproduced as seven black spots.
This is a good book, but you better buy a used copy of the original edition instead of this grimy reprint.