The Mystery of Mithras: A Pagan Christmas?
The Ancients24 Des 2020

The Mystery of Mithras: A Pagan Christmas?

The clichéd Christmas: white snow, hot fires, mulled wine and a feast. This might not be the case were the holiday not to fall on 25 December and, although many things have been missed in 2020, the usual questions of whether this is the right date arrived reliably on time. So, for this episode, Tristan spoke to Professor Matthew McCarty to find out whether Christmas Day was really placed in December to supplant non-Christian worship, in particular that of Mithras. Matthew is Assistant Professor of Roman Archaeology at the University of British Columbia. He has been directing the field excavation of a mithraeum in Apulum (Romania), the first scientifically excavated mithraeum in the province of Dacia. In this festive episode, he shares his insight into the social dynamics of ritual practices in the sanctuary at Apulum and elsewhere.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episoder(594)

The Other Alexander

The Other Alexander

Alexander, an Ancient Greek king and a victorious conqueror. No, not that one, not Alexander the Great. This time, we’re talking about his uncle, Alexander I of Molossia. In 334BC, when Alexander the ...

8 Nov 202038min

Philip and Alexander: Kings and Conquerors

Philip and Alexander: Kings and Conquerors

Alexander the Great. One of the most recognisable names in history. In his short lifetime he conquered the mighty Persian Empire and marched his army as far as the Indus River Valley. But it is import...

5 Nov 202057min

Catullus: Rome's Most Erotic Poet

Catullus: Rome's Most Erotic Poet

If you're looking for a raunchy Roman poet, look no further than Catullus. Born into one of the most exciting periods in Roman history, in the early 1st century BC as the Roman Republic started to sin...

1 Nov 202049min

Ancient Ethiopia: The Kingdom of Aksum

Ancient Ethiopia: The Kingdom of Aksum

At its height the Kingdom of Aksum was considered one of the four great powers of the Ancient World. Situated primarily in what is now northern Ethiopia, Aksum’s legacy is astonishing and far reaching...

29 Okt 202051min

The Origins of Ancient Vietnam

The Origins of Ancient Vietnam

It is one of the most extraordinary ancient archaeological sites in Southeast Asia, albeit one that is relatively unheard of outside of Vietnam. Cổ Loa. A defensive stronghold that during its golden a...

25 Okt 202051min

The Battle of Philippi: Death of the Roman Republic

The Battle of Philippi: Death of the Roman Republic

In October 42 BC the Roman Republic committed suicide. Near the town of Philippi in northern Greece the forces of Brutus and Cassius, the famous assassins of Julius Caesar and the last surviving cheer...

22 Okt 202049min

Sophocles' Lost Plays

Sophocles' Lost Plays

The Big Three. In antiquity it could mean a whole host of different things, the triumvirate of Caesar, Pompey and Crassus for instance. But for many, ‘The Big Three’ means the three great tragedians o...

18 Okt 202053min

69 AD: Rise of Vespasian

69 AD: Rise of Vespasian

69 AD was a tumultuous year in Roman history. 4 Romans assumed the title of emperor; only one remained standing by the year’s end. His name was Vespasian, veteran of Claudius’ invasion of Britain and ...

15 Okt 202051min

Populært innen Historie

rss-dette-ma-aldri-skje-igjen
historier-som-endret-norge
rss-benadet
henrettelsespodden
rss-nadelose-nordmenn-gestapo
historier-som-endret-verden
aftenposten-historie
rss-historiske-romanser
sektledere
rss-gamle-greier
historiepodden
rss-frontkjemperne
sannhet-eller-konspirasjon
historiepodden-ww2
rss-historiepodden-ww2
rss-strid-de-norske-borgerkrigene
med-egne-oyne
undersattene
vare-historier
taakeprat