Your conspiracy theory is off by a hundred years.
Mithraism, specifically the Roman mystery cult, emerged in the
late 1st century CE and flourished between the 2nd and 4th centuries CE. While inspired by the ancient Persian deity Mithra/Mitra (worshipped centuries earlier), the Roman version was a distinct, secretive religion for men that gained popularity among soldiers and merchants. [
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3,
4]
Key Details on the Origins of Mithraism:
- Sudden Appearance: The cult suddenly appeared in the Roman world, with the earliest monuments dated to the late 1st century AD.
- Key Locations: The earliest evidence is found in the Roman Empire, particularly in Rome and Asia Minor (modern Turkey).
- Persian Roots: The deity was adapted from the ancient Indo-Iranian sun god Mitra/Mithra, with evidence of this name in Asia Minor dating back to 1400 BCE, according to Wikipedia.
- "New" Creation: Many scholars believe Roman Mithraism was a new creation that emerged around 100 CE, distinct from the older Iranian tradition, notes ReligionFacts.
- Peak Period: The cult expanded across the Roman Empire in the 2nd century, peaking in popularity during the 3rd century before declining alongside other pagan traditions by the 4th/5th century, say History Hit and World History Encyclopedia. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]
Note: The Roman cult is often referred to as "The Mysteries of Mithras," which is different from the ancient Persian worship of the same deity. [1, 2, 3]
