Ask The Puma Research Guides: Cult of Mithra (Mithraism)

Cult of Mithra (Mithraism) 

Mithraism was a mystery cult which was popular in Roman society during the early centuries of Christianity.  The cult was derived from the Iranian god of light, war, and justice, Mithras, or Mithra.  The worship of Mithra was practiced as far away from Rome as Britain and Germany.  When the Roman Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity in 312 A.D. (C.E.), Mithraism declined.          

LINNCWeb Online Catalog – Search Terms

• Mithraism (Keyword)
• Roman religion (Keyword)
• Mystery religions (Keyword)

Call Numbers for Browsing the Shelves

• BL610
• BL722
• BL802
• CB311

Circulating Books – A Selected List

• Bravington, Alison (Ed.). Vanished Civilizations. 2002.

                      Call Number: CB311 .V35 2002

• Burkert, Walter. Ancient Mystery Cults. 1987.  

                       Call Number: BL610 .B87 1987

• MacMullen, Ramsay. Paganism in the Roman Empire. 1981.

                      Call Number: BL802 .M32

• Martin, Luther H. Hellenistic Religions: An Introduction. 1987.

                       Call Number: BL722 .M33 1987

• Perowne, Stewart. Roman Mythology. 1984.

                       Call Number: BL802 .P46 1984

Reference Materials

• Cavendish, Richard (Ed.). Man, Myth, & Magic. 1997. 

                       Call Number: REF BF1407 .M34 1997  (Also in Circulating Books.)                           

o   Vol. 13, pgs. 1751-1754

• Coulter, Charles R. Encyclopedia of Ancient Dieties. 2000.

                     Call Number: REF BL473 .C67 2000 

o       Pg. 325

• Doniger, Wendy (Ed.). Merriam-Webster’s Encyclopedia of World Religions. 1999.

                       Call Number: REF BL31 .M47 1999

o   Pgs. 742-743

• Price, Simon (Ed.). Oxford Dictionary of Classical Myth and Religion. 2003.

                       Call Number: REF BL715 .O94 2003

o   Pgs. 354-356

Research Databases

To access Valencia’s research databases, open your Atlas account, select ‘Search the Library’, then select ‘Databases A-Z’.

 (Search using Mithraism) 

• Academic Search Complete

This Research Guide is designed to help users find information on a particular topic within the Valencia College East Campus Library.  This is by no means a comprehensive list of resources and other resources may be available on this topic.  Please check the LINCCWeb, VCC East’s online catalog, to verify the availability of circulating books within the library.  Feel free to ask a librarian for help if you need further assistance.

Valencia College East Campus Library

Last Revised on November 20, 2021