Concept
Greco-Roman mysteries
Overview
Mystery religions, mystery cults, sacred mysteries or simply mysteries (Greek: μυστήρια), were religious schools of the Greco-Roman world for which participation was reserved to initiates (mystai). The main characteristic of these religious schools was the secrecy associated with the particulars of the initiation and the ritual practice, which may not be revealed to outsiders. The most famous mysteries of Greco-Roman antiquity were the Eleusinian Mysteries, which predated the Greek Dark Ages. The mystery schools flourished in Late Antiquity; Emperor Julian, of the mid-4th century, is believed by some scholars to have been associated with various mystery cults—most notably the mithraists. Due to the secret nature of the schools, and because the mystery religions of Late Antiquity were persecuted by the Christian Roman Empire from the 4th century, the details of these religious practices are derived from descriptions, imagery and cross-cultural studies.
Justin Martyr in the 2nd century explicitly noted and identified them as "demonic imitations" of the true faith; "the devils, in imitation of what was said by Moses, asserted that Proserpine was the daughter of Jupiter, and instigated the people to set up an image of her under the name of Kore" (First Apology). Through the 1st to 4th century, Christianity stood in direct competition for adherents with the mystery schools.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0; see the article history for authors).
Possible passages
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And this dance, as Dicaearchus writes, is called among the Delians, the Crane. This he danced round the Ceratonian Altar, so called from its consisting of horns taken from the left side of the head. They say also that he instituted games in Delos where he was the first that began the custom of giving a palm to the victors.
Plutarch, Plutarch
States what Greco-Roman mysteries is; the author is tied to Greco-Roman mysteries in the knowledge graph.
There are yet many traditions about these things, and as many concerning Ariadne, all inconsistent with each other. Some relate that she hung herself, being deserted by Theseus.
Plutarch, The Boys' and Girls' Plutarch
States what Greco-Roman mysteries is; the author is tied to Greco-Roman mysteries in the knowledge graph.
The first kind may be further divided into the dance of war and the dance of peace. The former is called the Pyrrhic; in this the movements of attack and defence are imitated in a direct and manly style, which indicates strength and sufficiency of body and mind. The latter of the two, the dance of peace, is suitable to orderly and law-abiding men.
Plato, Laws
States what Greco-Roman mysteries is; the author is tied to Greco-Roman mysteries in the knowledge graph.
Philosophers who discussed Greco-Roman mysteries
Related ideas
- Hellenistic philosophy
- Athens
- Heracles
- Orphism
- Ancient Greek
- Julian (emperor)
- Justin Martyr
- Lucian
- Latin
- Livy
- Civil religion
- Moses
- New Testament
- Natural theology
- Orpheus
- Plato
- Neoplatonism
- David Strauss
- Socrates
- Protestantism
- Agora
- Theology
- Zeus
- Thrace
Place in the tradition
Part of Gnosticism.