Cults

By Steven Tobey

What is a cult?• a small religious group that is not part of a larger

and more accepted religion and that has beliefs regarded by many people as extreme or dangerous are you kidding me?

• a system of religious veneration and devotion directed toward a particular figure or object.

Foundation of cults

• After the expansion in Italy, the romans assimilated a great many foreign beliefs and divinities. Other cults were established, deifying abstract virtues.

Mithraic Cult

• This adaptability served greatly to strengthen conquered peoples’ loyalty to Rome. This opened the door to the importation of new cults that were somewhat less easily integrated into the traditional context

Eastern Religion and Cults

Eastern Religions• In the republican period, the Roman state,

staggering beneath defeats suffered at the hands of Hannibal and needing to bolster the faith of its citizens, introduced to Rome the cult of the goddess Cybele, She was the mistress of nature whose numerous rites marked much of the Roman calendar. Her cult became increasingly evident with the Flavians and the cult of Isis

Cult of the Great Mother/ Cybele

• In the imperial period the taurobolium was introduced- to sacrifice of a bull whose testicles were cut off while the blood of the victim ran beneath the sacrificial altar, where the faithful received a sort of baptism of blood. This came into a symbolic castration that would allow a Roman citizen to become a priest avoiding castration.

Great Mother Continued

• also tied to agriculture, like the Romans• her consort Attis who dies and is reborn • each year• worship: ecstasy• most Romans naturally disliked the sort of excessive behavior seen in this cult especially as it became ever more licentious over time in order to attract followers• Cybele thrived for other reasons• the promise of life after death with Cybele• appealed especially to those with little hope of finding satisfaction in this life

Cult of Mithras• Between the late first century and early second

century A.D., the Cult of Mithras spread throughout the empire This was a religion of mysteries, particularity ingrained among soldiers of the legions

• Mostly appealed to men in working class.• Located in Mithraea (Caves) which was also a

place for baptisms in bulls blood.• Became famous very fast.

Mithras Story• Mithras (a powerful god capable of moving the

heaven) is born from a rock. He is depicted in his temples hunting down and slaying bulls. in the tauroctony He then meets with the sun, who kneels to him. The two then shake hands, and dine on bull parts. Little is known about the beliefs associated with this.

Imperial Cult • The imperial cult was an important unifying factor

in the under governed Roman empire. It was beneficial for both Rome and its citizens. Most importantly, it was a milestone for loyalty to Rome and the emperor. For the provincial elites it also provided new opportunities for social advancement

Cult of Isis• Practiced as a mystery cult, mystery beliefs.• Isis was as famous as Cybele’s but in the fashion

as it is conducted in a decorous manner.• Promised afterlife • chorus singing• in general, pageantry

Questions• Who was Mithras?• What is a cult?• What is Taurobolium?• What was a pro for the imperial cult?• Who did the Cult of Mithras mostly appeal to?• What were Mithraea?

Work Cited • "The Roman Cult of Mithras." The Roman Cult of Mithras. N.p.,

n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2013.• "Britannica School." Britannica School. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov.

2013.

• "The Imperial Cult." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2013

• "1320: Section 12: Roman Cults and Worship." 1320: Section 12: Roman Cults and Worship. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2013.

• "Role of the Roman Imperial Cult During the Augustan Age." Role of the Roman Imperial Cult During the Augustan Age. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2013.

• "Google Images." Google Images. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2013.• Life and art in ancient rome