In my research on the subject of Mithra from years ago I concluded that is was probably Lucius who brought Mithraism back to Rome that made it popular in Rome especially Tarsus. Notice the similar conversion story to Paul as well.
Lucius Agrius (ca.107bce-41bce) Roman soldier and Mithrasic High Priest (ca.67bce- 41bce)
Acts 13:1 Lucius of Cyrene??
"Among these soldiers was a strong and mighty warrior, whose personality drew many of the Cilicians to him. By enquiry, I discovered that he was a holy man, and was therefore sought after as a man of wisdom. He led the Cilicians in Prayer at dawn, and again at mid-day and at dusk, never failing to praise his God, Whom he called Mithras."
- from "The Conversion of Lucius Agrius", paragraph 2, written ca.67bce. Lucius Agrius was a soldier in Pompey's army and became the first Roman to serve Mithras, converted by Cilician immigrants to Italy after their defeat by Pompey's army. Lucius Agrius served as the first Roman High Priest, and his book is included in the Mithrasic Canon of Scripture.
Marcellinus (ca.95bce-33bce) Roman soldier and Mithrasic High Priest (41bce-33bce)
"...and the soldiers of the Faith vow to be chaste for months at a time, in dedication to the Lord. And when we marry, we marry women of pure heart, quiet disposition, and clean spirit, for women of ill repute are despised by the men of the Mysteries."
-from "The Fragment of the Letter of Marcellinus", paragraph 1, written between 41bce and 33bce. This, too, is included in the Mithrasic Canon of Scripture. Only this and three other paragraphs of this letter survive.
The story of Mithra precedes the Christian fable by at least 600 years. Mithra has the following in common with the Christ character:
Mithras was born of a virgin on December 25th. He was considered a great traveling teacher and master. He was called "The Good Shepherd." He was considered "The Way, the Truth and the Light." He was considered "The Redeemer," "The Savior, "the Messiah." He was identified with both the Lion and the Lamb. His sacred day was Sunday, "the Lord's Day," hundreds of years before the appearance of Christ. He had his principal festival on what was later to become Easter. He had 12 companions or disciples. He performed miracles. He was buried in a tomb. After three days he rose again. His resurrection was celebrated every year.
All the miracles credited to Jesus were done by Buddah 500 years before Jesus the feeding of the crowd the miracles everything. The book is called the orginal Jesus
Looking back in history, we discover that there were many other people who did similar things and had similar accomplishments when compared to Jesus. To name a few of those "saviors:" Chrishna, Budha Sakia, Salivahana, Zulis, Osiris, Odin, Crite, Zoroaster, Mithra, and Xaniolxis.
In fact, Krishna pre-dates Jesus by over 900 years (more than 100 years before Isaiah!). My findings are based on a book called
The World's Sixteen Crucified Saviors.
1. plan of restoration or salvation is provided for in each case.
2. A divine Savior is considered necessary in both cases.
3. The necessity of atoning for sin is taught in the religion of each.
4. A God, or Son of God, is selected as the victim for the atoning sacrifice in each case.
5. Both Chrishna and Jesus are of royal descent.
6. The God or Savior in each case is the second person of the Trinity.
7. Chrishna, as well as Christ, was held to be really God incarnate.
8. There is a resemblance in name Chrishna(called Cristos) and Christ.
9. Chrishna, as well as Christ, was incarnated and born of a woman who was a holy virgin.
10. Both Jesus, and Chrishna, were declared divine at birth.
11. Each had an adopted earthly father.
12. The father of Chrishna, as well as that of Christ, was a carpenter.
13. When both were born, the angels were said to have sang in heaven
14. The names of two mothers are somewhat similar -- Mary and Maia.
15. Both were born on the 25th of December.
16. Both, at birth, were visited by wise men and shepherds.
17. Each Savior had a forerunner -- John the Baptist in one case, Bali Rama in the other.
18. Each disputed with and vanquished learned opponents.
19. Chrishna, as well as Christ, was called and considered God.
20. Both speak of having existed prior to human birth.
21. A dual existence -- an existence in both heaven and earth at once -- is claimed by or for both.
22. Chrishna, as well as Christ, was "without sin."
23. Both came to destroy the devil and his works.
24. The doctrine of the "atonement" is practically realized in each case.
25. When they grew up, both were miracle workers.
26. One of the first miracles of each was the cure of a leper.
27. Each healed "all manner of diseases."
28. Each practically proved his power to raise the dead.
29. Both could read the thoughts of the people.
30. Both made converts by their miracles and preaching.
31. Each opposed the existing popular priesthood.
32. Each denounced riches and rich men, and loathed and detested wealth.
33. The closing incidents in the earth-life of each were strikingly similar.
34. A memorable last supper marked the closing career of both.
35. Both were put to death by "wicked hands."
36. Both were transfigured before witnesses.
37. Chrishna, as well as Christ, was crucified.
38. Both called themselves "the way."
39. Both called themselves "the beginning and the end."
40. Darkness attended the crucifixion of each.
41. Both were crucified between two thieves.
42. Both were pierced before death.
43. Each is reported to have forgiven his enemies.
44. The age of each at death corresponds (being between thirty and thirty-six years).
45. Each, after giving up the ghost, descends into hell.
46. The resurrection from the dead is a marked period in the history of each.
47. Each ascends to heaven after his resurrection before witnesses.
48. Baptism by water is a tenant and ordinance of each.
49. Each was labeled as "Creator."
50. Both are called: Savior, Redeemer, the Great God, and Holy One.
Each Savior was called "Shepherd."
Both were believed to be the Creator of the world.
Each is sometimes spoken of, also, as only an agent in the creation.
Both were the "Light and Life" of men.
Each "brought life and immortality to light."
Both are represented as "the seed of the woman bruising the serpent's head."
Was Christ a "Dispenser of grace," so was the Hindoo Savior.
One was "the lion of the tribe of Judah," the other "the lion of the tribe of Saki."
Christ was "the Beginning of the End," Chrishna "the Beginning, the Middle, and the End."
Both proclaimed, "I am the Resurrection."
Each was "the way to the Father."
Both represented emblematically "the Sun of Righteousness."
Each is figuratively represented as being "all in all."
Both speak of having existed prior to human birth.
A dual existence -- an existence in both heaven and earth at once -- is claimed by or for both.
Chrishna, as well as Christ, was "without sin."
Both assumed the divine prerogative of forgiving sins.
The mission of each was to deliver from sin.
Both came to destroy the devil and his works.
The doctrine of the "atonement" is practically realized in each case.
Each made a voluntary offering for the sins of the world.
Both were human as well as divine.
Chrishna, as well as Christ, was worshiped as God absolute.
Each was regarded as "the Lord from Heaven."
Chrishna, as well as Christ, had applied to him all the attributes of God.
Was Christ omniscient, so was Chrishna.
Was one omnipotent, so was the other (so believed).
And both are represented as being omnipresent.
Each was believed to be divinely perfect.
Was one "Lord of lords," so was the other.
Each embodied the "power and wisdom of God."
All power was committed unto each (so claimed).
Chrishna performed many miracles as well as did Christ.
One of the first miracles of each was the cure of a leper.
Each healed "all manner of diseases."
The work of casting out devils constitutes a part of the mission of each.
Each practically proved his power to raise the dead.
A miracle appertaining to a tree is related of both.
Both could read the thoughts of the people.
The power to detect and eject evil spirits was claimed by both.
Both had the keys or control of death.
Each led an extraordinary life.
Each had a character for supernatural greatness.
Both possessed or claimed a oneness with the Father.
A "oneness with his Lord and Master" is claimed, also, for the disciples of each.
A strong reciprocal affection between Master and disciple in each case.
Each offers to shoulder the burdens of his disciples.
A portion of the life of each was spent in preaching.
Both made converts by their miracles and preaching.
A numerous retinue of believers springs up in each case.
*over 200 more similarities*
MITHRAISM
The Legacy of the Roman Empire's Final Pagan State Religion
David Fingrut
SEED Alternative School
Toronto, 1993
Introduction
For over three hundred years the rulers of the Roman Empire worshipped the god Mithras. Known throughout Europe and Asia by the names Mithra, Mitra, Meitros, Mihr, Mehr, and Meher, the veneration of this god began some 4000 years ago in Persia, where it was soon imbedded with Babylonian doctrines. The faith spread east through India to China, and reached west throughout the entire length of the Roman frontier; from Scotland to the Sahara Desert, and from Spain to the Black Sea. Sites of Mithraic worship have been found in Britain, Italy, Romania, Germany, Hungary, Bulgaria, Turkey, Persia, Armenia, Syria, Israel, and North Africa.
In Rome, more than a hundred inscriptions dedicated to Mithras have been found, in addition to 75 sculpture fragments, and a series of Mithraic temples situated in all parts of the city. One of the largest Mithraic temples built in Italy now lies under the present site of the Church of St. Clemente, near the Colosseum in Rome.
The widespread popularity and appeal of Mithraism as the final and most refined form of pre-Christian paganism was discussed by the Greek historian Herodotus, the Greek biographer Plutarch, the neoplatonic philosopher Porphyry, the Gnostic heretic Origen, and St. Jerome the church Father. Mithraism was quite often noted by many historians for its many astonishing similarities to Christianity.
-Truncated limited space
