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Statue of Mithras
Statue of Mithras. Marble, 100-200 CE. Rome, Italy.
After Christianity became the state religion of the Roman Empire, pagan worship was persecuted, including the cult of the god Mithras. Today we know little about the beliefs and practices of this cult. However, many reliefs and sculptures have survived that depict Mithras.
This image was taken at the National Museum of Australia in the British Museum travelling exhibition A History of the World in 100 (and 1) Objects.
Questions & Answers
Who is the oldest god in world history?
- There are many contenders for the "oldest god" title. Among them are Brahma and Shiva of Hinduism and Inanna of ancient Sumer.
What is the dying-and-reviving god?
- The dying-and-reviving god is a religious paradigm involving a deity who dies and returns to life for the good of the people. Among the earliest such figures is Osiris of ancient Egypt, and the best known is Jesus Christ.
What was the purpose of ancient religious festivals?
- Ancient religious festivals honored a specific god, spirits, or one’s ancestors, and served the purpose of uniting the people in a common belief system, as well as giving them the opportunity to celebrate the positive aspects of their lives.
What is the oldest religious festival still happening today?
- The oldest religious festival still observed today is Nowruz, the Persian New Year’s celebration, though the Hindu festival of Diwali is also a contender for that title. The first religious holiday to appear in the historical record is Akitu, the Babylonian New Year’s Festival, which developed from the celebration of Zagmuk of ancient Sumer.
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External Links
14 Oldest Greek Gods - Oldest.org
oldest.org
James Frazer & the Dying God | Neo-Paganism
neo-paganism.org
10 Oldest Religions in the World
indiatimes.com