Thread by @MikeStuchbery_

You can't contain beliefs. You can't put a wall up when it comes to faith. Cults and creeds sprout up out of whole earth and spread. The London Mithraeum embodies that for me. THREAD 1/

Back in 1954, during construction work on Walbrook, a street in the City of London, the foundation of a temple were found. Originally thought to be an early Christian space, it turned out to be a 'Mithraeum' - space for the Mithras Cult. 2/

The Cult of Mithras is known throughout the Roman world. Emerging from the East - most likely Iran - it became popular among the legions of the Roman Army.

It was a 'mystery cult' - a cult in which members progress through various levels, having secrets revealed as they go. 3/

What do we know about the Cult of Mithras? Shockingly little!

We know that it revolved around the figure Mithras slaughtering a bull to give life to the universe.

We know that it was male-only & took place in underground spaces.

We know there were several 'levels'. 4/

Initiates into the cult would, theoretically, pass through the levels:

- Raven
- Bridegroom
- Soldier
- Lion
- Persian
- Sun-Runner
- Pater .

Each would have rituals & trials associated with it, & the floor of a Mithraeum was marked with a mosaic showing the progression. /5

The Cult of Mithras, it must be stressed, was very much men-only, and confined to the military.

Picked up in the East throughout the expansion of the Empire & liaising with different cultures, the cult could be found wherever the Army was. /6

Londinium, having a military presence for broad stretches of its existence, it was only natural to have a Mithraeum.

Now under the Bloomberg complex, the Mithraeum would have brought together soldiers from different regions in cult worship, outside the command structures. /7

In time, however, the Cult of Mithras would subside in power & strength. That doesn't mean that it fell out of use. Everything points to it being repurposed to other deities.

This statue intimates that it was then dedicated to Bacchus, the god of drink, wine & fertility. /8

Let's not forget that Bacchus was just a rebranded Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, debauchery & it must be said, madness. /9

Finally, this head of Serapis was found at the site of the London Mithraeum.

Serapis was a deity, devised to bridge the gap b/w Greek & Egyptian belief in the centuries prior to the birth of Christ.

When the Romans moved into Egypt, they brought Serapis back with them. /10

So I think it's pretty neat that over the space of a few short centuries, the London Mithraeum space was most probably used for the worship of gods from all corners of the Empire.

The area is now dotted with churches - many used by more than one denomination. /11

People take their beliefs with them. They get shared. They find a home, where they may, and change, before moving on. You can't stop these things, by wall or force. It's just how we function.

Something many would do well to remember, in this very connected world. /12

If you'd like to learn more about the London Mithraeum, you can learn more & plan a visit here. Hope you enjoyed that. /FIN londonmithraeum.com