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| The Temple of Mithras. |
Ever since I had first read about the Temple of Mithras, I had wanted to see it with my own eyes.
Recently, the temple was dismantled from its location on Queen Victoria Street and moved back to its original site, on the banks of the Walbrook River, below the new Bloomberg building.
The Mithraeum, although incomplete, is wonderfully staged, with lighting and sounds bringing the temple and cult of Mithras to life.
I was not disappointed and think that everyone should take a trip back in time to Roman London.
It is free to visit, but I would suggest booking a time-slot so that you are not disappointed.
Brief History
Following the bombing of London, during World War II, a massive clearance and rebuild was begun. It was during the excavations in the Walbrook area that the Temple of Mithras was first uncovered, in 1954.
Between 1961-2 the temple was dismantled and moved roughly 100 metres, to Queen Victoria Street, where it was rebuilt. Unfortunately, the rebuild resulted in the temple becoming a mish-mash of bricks, put together with modern materials.
In 2011, with the entire area being redeveloped, the temple was again dismantled, with each ancient piece being cleaned, before it was reassembled on its original site, beneath the new European Headquarters of Bloomberg.
Brief History
Following the bombing of London, during World War II, a massive clearance and rebuild was begun. It was during the excavations in the Walbrook area that the Temple of Mithras was first uncovered, in 1954.
Between 1961-2 the temple was dismantled and moved roughly 100 metres, to Queen Victoria Street, where it was rebuilt. Unfortunately, the rebuild resulted in the temple becoming a mish-mash of bricks, put together with modern materials.
In 2011, with the entire area being redeveloped, the temple was again dismantled, with each ancient piece being cleaned, before it was reassembled on its original site, beneath the new European Headquarters of Bloomberg.
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| Lighting effects. |
London Mithraeum
For a small venue there is a wealth of information, spread across three floors.
The entrance hall has a floor to ceiling glass display case, with artefacts that were discovered in the area where the Temple of Mithras was discovered, back in 1954.
Descending the stairs, the walls of which are covered in slate, give a timeline of London. The next level has projected images with a soundtrack, voiced by Joanna Lumley, giving an insight into the belief in Mithras. There are also resin casts of the layout of the temple, the Tauroctony and the head of Mithras. Each of these has touchscreen display, which gives a wealth of information about each piece.
Down another flight of stairs and you enter the Temple of Mithras, which has been lovingly, and painstakingly, rebuilt, with subtle lighting, sound and mist effects, which brings the temple to life. The staff are quite knowledgeable and try to answer any questions, that you might have.
This should be on everyone's list of places to visit, but you must book in advance.
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| A resin cast of the tauroctony. |
Mithras
Mithras is a god with ancient Iranian roots, who became a popular, secretive, all-male deity in the Roman Empire (1st-4th centuries), worshipped in underground temples called Mithraea. The focal point of these Mithraea was the tauroctony. The tauroctony showed Mithras slaying a bull, symbolising creation and cosmic order, and always includes figures like a raven, dog, snake, and scorpion, plus sun and moon symbols.
Mithras offered salvation, and was connected to light, contracts, and justice, with initiates progressing through seven grades. Mythology was learned through initiation, not written scriptures, relying on monuments for understanding. While sharing origins with the Persian Mitra, the Roman cult developed its own distinct mythology, popular among soldiers and traders, focusing on initiation and brotherhood.
Roman soldiers and traders brought his worship to the Empire, where he became a saviour figure, a bringer of light, and was linked to cosmic order. He was often depicted being born from a rock or an egg.
His cult provided special knowledge about the universe and offered strong bonds for members. He was seen as an invincible bringer of light and salvation to his followers.
Claims of a virgin birth or twelve disciples are unfounded; these ideas arose from later interpretations, not ancient sources. Also, the shared December 25th date, birthday of the 'Unconquered Sun', reflects competition between cults, not a shared origin story with Jesus.
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