Impacts on Roman Society

		\| The Greeks \| The Romans \| Other Civilizations \| Index \|
The Romans		\| Introduction\| \|Conclusion/Work Cited\| \|Roman Society\| \|Education\| \|Military\| \|Goals In Life\| \|Other Religions\|
Mare Nostrum Mithras Positively Impacts Rome by N.S.		Impacts On Rome Roman Society There was no class restriction. Rich, poor, even a slave could join the religion. In the religion it was all right to be part of the lower class and be respected among the upper class. As Goodwin (98) said, "There were no social barriers so that slaves and privates could become high initiates." The religion was based on steps not on social class. Each religious step was named according to planets. The reason there were steps was because they were protected by a planet of the universe. They are as followed: Cronus protected by Mercury Nynphus protected by Venus Miles protected by Mars Leo protected by Jupiter Perses protected by the Moon Heliodromas protected by the Sun Pater protected by Saturn Each of these steps had authority over the others. Pater had the most authority over the other steps. Therefore one could be part of the lower class and be Pater while another could be part of the upper class and be Cronus. The person who was in the lower class and Pater would have authority over the upper class member. Since there was no discrimination between classes this lead to friendships amongst the classes. This was positive; it made Rome better because it brought the people into a unified body. Education It was believed in ancient times that everything revolved around the earth. But the stars and planets were part of a special planet which they called the cosmic sphere. The cosmic sphere was larger than the earth and caused the different constellations. However, the Mithraist believed that Mithra was the god of the sun. Plus they believed Mithra caused the cosmic sphere to spin. Goodwin (99) said "He [Mithras] is creator and orderer of the universe" Also it was said, "killing of the bull symbolizes his supreme power" Therefore this new teaching told the ancient people that Mithra the sun god was the center of the universe. Consequently this brought the Roman education closer to the correct understanding of the universe. In other words, this was a positive impact on the education of the Romans. Military Out of all the things Mithraist impacted, the military was the most influenced. The soldiers were influenced because they believed in self-control and power. These two characteristics brought them to Mithraism because self-control and power are the two main characteristics of Mithraism. Hinnells (216) said, "It was socially respectable being popular among the military and officials." Also it had been said that the soldiers were the main group who taught Mithriasm to others such as merchants, slaves, and freedmen. This was a positive impact because this caused the soldiers to have rules to abide to. Goals In Life One thing was to reach the stars by going through each planet. To explain, every time a person would get to each step that person would get closer to the stars. The reason the stars were goals is because, the stars far greater than life on earth. Who also worked to stay away from evil in their lives. Evil keeps one from reaching the stars. It was said by Smart (Religious Experience 241), "Mithriam became a kind of initiatory club, it’s rites engendering, the feeling of renewed life and comradeship." Another goal was that many people wanted to gain power. Many people believe that the Romans were a power-hungry people. Therefore many people found the goal, power, in Mithraism a positive thing they wanted. Smart (World’s Religion), also said "Mithras, the unconquered and unconquerable sun, symbolized the courage, success, and confidence." Mithraism caused people to look for a goal in life and to pursue this goal. Also these goals gave the people a reason to live each day. Therefore this was another positive impact the Mithraists caused. Other Religions Specifically, Mithraism impacted Christianity. Many Christians back then believed that Mithraism was a devilish resemblance of Christianity. Also people believed that Mithraism was a mixture of Zoroastism and Christianity. Goodwin (99) once said "Roman Mithraism was born from some clairvoyant sense of the coming of Christ, seen through the perspective of Zoroastriasm dualism." However, if this were looked at in a different point of view it would be seen a different way. For example, if it weren’t for Mithraism, Christianity wouldn’t have a day for Christmas. It is said that Christianity superimposed the day Mithra was born for the day Christ was born. Also if it weren’t for Mithraism, Christianity would not even know about demons and evil. The reason is, Mithraism was the first religion to expose Christianity to evil. This is positive because Christianity needed Mithraism to improve ideas in its religion. Meaning, Christianity wouldn’t have such an appeal on people if it weren’t for ideas Mithraism exposed Christianity to. \| The Greeks \| The Romans \| Other Civilizations \| Index \| Top History and Thought of Western Man Rich East High School * Park Forest, IL 60466 This page was created by N.S. Last revised 3/29/00.

The Romans

| Introduction| |Conclusion/Work Cited|

Mare Nostrum

Mithras Positively Impacts Rome

by N.S.

Impacts On Rome

Roman Society

There was no class restriction. Rich, poor, even a slave could join the religion. In the religion it was all right to be part of the lower class and be respected among the upper class. As Goodwin (98) said,

"There were no social barriers so that slaves and privates could become high initiates."

The religion was based on steps not on social class. Each religious step was named according to planets. The reason there were steps was because they were protected by a planet of the universe. They are as followed:

Cronus protected by Mercury
Nynphus protected by Venus
Miles protected by Mars
Leo protected by Jupiter
Perses protected by the Moon
Heliodromas protected by the Sun
Pater protected by Saturn

Each of these steps had authority over the others. Pater had the most authority over the other steps. Therefore one could be part of the lower class and be Pater while another could be part of the upper class and be Cronus. The person who was in the lower class and Pater would have authority over the upper class member. Since there was no discrimination between classes this lead to friendships amongst the classes. This was positive; it made Rome better because it brought the people into a unified body.

Education

It was believed in ancient times that everything revolved around the earth. But the stars and planets were part of a special planet which they called the cosmic sphere. The cosmic sphere was larger than the earth and caused the different constellations. However, the Mithraist believed that Mithra was the god of the sun. Plus they believed Mithra caused the cosmic sphere to spin. Goodwin (99) said

"He [Mithras] is creator and orderer of the universe" Also it was said, "killing of the bull symbolizes his supreme power"

Therefore this new teaching told the ancient people that Mithra the sun god was the center of the universe. Consequently this brought the Roman education closer to the correct understanding of the universe. In other words, this was a positive impact on the education of the Romans.

Military

Out of all the things Mithraist impacted, the military was the most influenced. The soldiers were influenced because they believed in self-control and power. These two characteristics brought them to Mithraism because self-control and power are the two main characteristics of Mithraism. Hinnells (216) said,

"It was socially respectable being popular among the military and officials."

Also it had been said that the soldiers were the main group who taught Mithriasm to others such as merchants, slaves, and freedmen. This was a positive impact because this caused the soldiers to have rules to abide to.

Goals In Life

One thing was to reach the stars by going through each planet. To explain, every time a person would get to each step that person would get closer to the stars. The reason the stars were goals is because, the stars far greater than life on earth. Who also worked to stay away from evil in their lives. Evil keeps one from reaching the stars. It was said by Smart (Religious Experience 241),

"Mithriam became a kind of initiatory club, it’s rites engendering, the feeling of renewed life and comradeship."

Another goal was that many people wanted to gain power. Many people believe that the Romans were a power-hungry people. Therefore many people found the goal, power, in Mithraism a positive thing they wanted. Smart (World’s Religion), also said

"Mithras, the unconquered and unconquerable sun, symbolized the courage, success, and confidence."

Mithraism caused people to look for a goal in life and to pursue this goal. Also these goals gave the people a reason to live each day. Therefore this was another positive impact the Mithraists caused.

Other Religions

Specifically, Mithraism impacted Christianity. Many Christians back then believed that Mithraism was a devilish resemblance of Christianity. Also people believed that Mithraism was a mixture of Zoroastism and Christianity. Goodwin (99) once said

"Roman Mithraism was born from some clairvoyant sense of the coming of Christ, seen through the perspective of Zoroastriasm dualism."

However, if this were looked at in a different point of view it would be seen a different way. For example, if it weren’t for Mithraism, Christianity wouldn’t have a day for Christmas. It is said that Christianity superimposed the day Mithra was born for the day Christ was born. Also if it weren’t for Mithraism, Christianity would not even know about demons and evil. The reason is, Mithraism was the first religion to expose Christianity to evil. This is positive because Christianity needed Mithraism to improve ideas in its religion. Meaning, Christianity wouldn’t have such an appeal on people if it weren’t for ideas Mithraism exposed Christianity to.

History and Thought of Western Man
Rich East High School * Park Forest, IL 60466

This page was created by N.S. Last revised 3/29/00.