The chronology of monuments associated with the cult of Mithras in Moesia Inferior and Thrace

Abstract

The author addressed the problem of the chronology of monuments related to the cult of Mithra - a deity originating from the Iranian tradition - discovered in Lower Moesia and Thrace. The aim of the article is to organize the archaeological material and determine the time of the appearance and development of Mithraism in the Danube provinces. The author used historical, archaeological and iconographic methods. She analysed sculptural monuments, reliefs, inscriptions and epigraphic data, comparing them with material from other provinces of the Roman Empire. The author discussed the most important types of representations of Mithras and their connections with cult centres in Phrygia, Cappadocia and Italy. She presented the development of Mithraic iconography and showed that the oldest monument of this type discovered in Bulgarian lands dates back to the beginning of the 2nd century. The analysis of the material indicates that the main propagator of the cult was the Roman army, especially the legions stationed on the lower Danube. The development of the cult of Mithras was closely related to the organisation of the Roman defence system. The discussed research results allow us to better determine the pace of the spread of Mithraism and its importance in the religious life of the Danube provinces in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD.