Eastern Religions

Between the late 3rd c. BC – 3rd c. AD, some eastern cults, such as those of Cybele, Isis and Mithras, permeated the Roman world. These exotic cults differed from Judaism and flourished throughout the Mediterranean world. They captivated Roman citizens with intriguing rituals and the promise of spiritual renewal in this world and salvation in the next.

Double-faced Mithraic relief. Rome, 2nd-3rd c. AD. Louvre.

Cybele

Isis

Mithras

Sabazeus

Serapis

Sol Invictus

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