Mithra serves alongside Ahura Mazda as co-guardian of asha (cosmic truth). In the Mehr Yasht, Ahura Mazda declares Mithra as worthy of worship as himself, overseeing covenants and the light of dawn.
Ahura Mazda created Mithra as a yazata to oversee covenants, light, and justice. In the Avesta (Yasht 10), Mithra is described as created by Ahura Mazda to be as worthy of worship as himself.
Roman Mithras descends from the Persian Mithra, carried westward along military and trade routes into the Roman world, where Cilician pirates and eastern legionaries transmitted his worship and his name took root in the underground temples of a new mystery cult.
⚠ The degree of continuity is debated: Cumont argued for direct Persian transmission, while Beck and Gordon hold that the Roman cult was largely a new creation borrowing the Iranian name and select motifs.
Mithra and Rashnu serve together as divine judges at the Chinvat Bridge, weighing the deeds of the dead in Zoroastrian belief.
Mithra and Sraosha serve together as divine judges at the Chinvat Bridge, weighing the souls of the dead in the Avestan texts.
Mithra and Vayu are both present at the Chinvat Bridge, where they participate in the judgment of souls in Zoroastrian tradition.
We use cookies to understand how you use our site and improve your experience. Learn more