Mithras Liturgy
Encyclopedia
The Mithras Liturgy is the name given to one of the texts found in one of the Greek Magical Papyri
, the so-called "Great Magical Book", numbered PGM IV, on lines 475-834. and was given the title "Mithras Liturgy" by its first translator, Albrecht Dieterich, because one of the deities invoked is Helios Mithras (Ἥλιοϲ Μίθραϲ), but the text is generally now considered as syncretistic
, and with no connection to Mithraism
.
The codex
containing the text (Paris Bibliothèque Nationale Suppl. gr. 574) was acquired by the French National library in 1857 and has been dated to the early fourth century AD. The first editor, Albrecht Dieterich, proposed that the text may originally have been composed as early as 100–150 AD.
. The name "the Mithras liturgy" was given to it by Dieterich, who dedicated the edition to Franz Cumont
. But Cumont could not see the text as being Mithraic in origin, and the book itself was written by a native Egyptian priest based in Thebes. Gee believes that its origins should be sought in this context, while Hans Dieter Betz thinks rather of a wandering philosophical origin.
Classicist Johan C. Thom notes that opinions regarding the context of the text differ, for example, Mithraism or another mystery cult, ancient magic, the Egyptian cult regarding the dead, or theurgy
. Mithraic scholars such as Cumont, Ulrich von Wilamowitz-Moellendorff
, Martin P. Nilsson
, and Walter Burkert
do not identify the text as a Mithraic liturgy. Cumont argued that the text lacked Mithraic eschatology
, the Mithraic doctrine of the passage of the soul through the seven planetary spheres, and Mithras as a guide in the ascension.
Betz believes that the Mithras Liturgy is a product at the meeting-point of Greek, Egyptian, and Mithraic traditions, finally identifying the central 'ascent' section as a product of early Hermeticism
, a view endorsed by Richard Gordon.
Marvin Meyer
is certain that the text has connections to Mithraism
and believes that it "contributes a great deal to the study of magic, miracle, and ritual in religions in antiquity and late antiquity
, including Christianity, and the stories of miracles attributed to Jesus and others may profitably be studied with texts like the Mithras Liturgy at hand."
Greek magical papyri
The Greek Magical Papyri is the name given by scholars to a body of papyri from Graeco-Roman Egypt, which each contain a number of magical spells, formulae, hymns and rituals. The materials in the papyri date from the 2nd century BC to the 5th century AD...
, the so-called "Great Magical Book", numbered PGM IV, on lines 475-834. and was given the title "Mithras Liturgy" by its first translator, Albrecht Dieterich, because one of the deities invoked is Helios Mithras (Ἥλιοϲ Μίθραϲ), but the text is generally now considered as syncretistic
Syncretism
Syncretism is the combining of different beliefs, often while melding practices of various schools of thought. The term means "combining", but see below for the origin of the word...
, and with no connection to Mithraism
Mithraism
The Mithraic Mysteries were a mystery religion practised in the Roman Empire from about the 1st to 4th centuries AD. The name of the Persian god Mithra, adapted into Greek as Mithras, was linked to a new and distinctive imagery...
.
The codex
Codex
A codex is a book in the format used for modern books, with multiple quires or gatherings typically bound together and given a cover.Developed by the Romans from wooden writing tablets, its gradual replacement...
containing the text (Paris Bibliothèque Nationale Suppl. gr. 574) was acquired by the French National library in 1857 and has been dated to the early fourth century AD. The first editor, Albrecht Dieterich, proposed that the text may originally have been composed as early as 100–150 AD.
The text and the cult of Mithras
The text is syncretisticSyncretism
Syncretism is the combining of different beliefs, often while melding practices of various schools of thought. The term means "combining", but see below for the origin of the word...
. The name "the Mithras liturgy" was given to it by Dieterich, who dedicated the edition to Franz Cumont
Franz Cumont
Franz-Valéry-Marie Cumont was a Belgian archaeologist and historian, a philologist and student of epigraphy, who brought these often isolated specialties to bear on the syncretic mystery religions of Late Antiquity, notably Mithraism. Cumont was a graduate of the University of Ghent...
. But Cumont could not see the text as being Mithraic in origin, and the book itself was written by a native Egyptian priest based in Thebes. Gee believes that its origins should be sought in this context, while Hans Dieter Betz thinks rather of a wandering philosophical origin.
Classicist Johan C. Thom notes that opinions regarding the context of the text differ, for example, Mithraism or another mystery cult, ancient magic, the Egyptian cult regarding the dead, or theurgy
Theurgy
Theurgy describes the practice of rituals, sometimes seen as magical in nature, performed with the intention of invoking the action or evoking the presence of one or more gods, especially with the goal of uniting with the divine, achieving henosis, and perfecting oneself.- Definitions :*Proclus...
. Mithraic scholars such as Cumont, Ulrich von Wilamowitz-Moellendorff
Ulrich von Wilamowitz-Moellendorff
Enno Friedrich Wichard Ulrich von Wilamowitz-Moellendorff was a German Classical Philologist. Wilamowitz, as he is known in scholarly circles, was a renowned authority on Ancient Greece and its literature.- Youth :...
, Martin P. Nilsson
Martin P. Nilsson
Martin Persson Nilsson was a Swedish philologist, mythographer, and a scholar of the Greek, Hellenistic and Roman religious systems...
, and Walter Burkert
Walter Burkert
Walter Burkert is a German scholar of Greek mythology and cult.An emeritus professor of classics at the University of Zurich, Switzerland, he also has taught in the United Kingdom and the United States...
do not identify the text as a Mithraic liturgy. Cumont argued that the text lacked Mithraic eschatology
Eschatology
Eschatology is a part of theology, philosophy, and futurology concerned with what are believed to be the final events in history, or the ultimate destiny of humanity, commonly referred to as the end of the world or the World to Come...
, the Mithraic doctrine of the passage of the soul through the seven planetary spheres, and Mithras as a guide in the ascension.
Betz believes that the Mithras Liturgy is a product at the meeting-point of Greek, Egyptian, and Mithraic traditions, finally identifying the central 'ascent' section as a product of early Hermeticism
Hermeticism
Hermeticism or the Western Hermetic Tradition is a set of philosophical and religious beliefs based primarily upon the pseudepigraphical writings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus...
, a view endorsed by Richard Gordon.
Marvin Meyer
Marvin Meyer
Marvin Meyer is a scholar of religion and a tenured professor at Chapman University, in Orange, California.He is the Griset Professor of Bible and Christian Studies at Chapman University and Director of the Albert Schweitzer Institute. He is also Director of the Coptic Magical Texts Project of the...
is certain that the text has connections to Mithraism
Mithraism
The Mithraic Mysteries were a mystery religion practised in the Roman Empire from about the 1st to 4th centuries AD. The name of the Persian god Mithra, adapted into Greek as Mithras, was linked to a new and distinctive imagery...
and believes that it "contributes a great deal to the study of magic, miracle, and ritual in religions in antiquity and late antiquity
Late Antiquity
Late Antiquity is a periodization used by historians to describe the time of transition from Classical Antiquity to the Middle Ages, in both mainland Europe and the Mediterranean world. Precise boundaries for the period are a matter of debate, but noted historian of the period Peter Brown proposed...
, including Christianity, and the stories of miracles attributed to Jesus and others may profitably be studied with texts like the Mithras Liturgy at hand."
Other texts in PGM IV
Lines 1-25 are a spell calling on Egyptian and Jewish powers in order to obtain information. Lines 1127-64 are a spell for exorcising a demon, using Coptic words of Christian origin, with instructions for preparing an amulet. Lines 1716-1870 are headed "Sword of Dardanos" and is a love spell.External links
- Marvin Meyer, The Mithras Liturgy - English translation.