The search for ‘Mithra’ takes us to Persia, three millennia ago; toIndia, where the Rigveda recounts his arrival there andtransformation into a solar deity, Surya ; to Rome and Ostia ,where in the first century AD traders established a western cult ofMithra across Bulgaria, Hungary and Germany finally to London,whither the cult brought by legionaries in the Roman army. Inmost of the lands formerly occupied by the Roman Empire.Christianity and Islam brought an end to the worship of Mithra.The exception is in Indian subcontinent, where Hinduism toleratedother cults and from ‘Mitra’ sun god ‘Surya’ originated.

Marble statue of Mithras (2nd

Century BC) slaying the Bull.Mithras is shown in easterncostume, including trousersand Phrygian cap. A dog andsnake are shown trying to lickthe blood and a scorpion isattacking the bull's genital.

This Exhibition will situate the ‘Mithra’ sculpture from Greek‐Romedepartment supported with numismatic evidence from Coins &Medal Department. Part of London Mithraeum will bereconstructed to create the ambiance of the cult. One descriptivemap in one side of the room will be showing the five phases of thiscult Origin, Voyage, Culmination, Decline and Sustain supported bynumismatic evidence and text.

Plan of reconstruction ofTemple of Mithras, London.The statute of Mithras will beinstalled in end as showed inplan. Light and sound effectwill create the setting of thetemple particularly theinitiation ceremony inMithraism .

• School Students• University Students specially from Classical History & Archaeology

• Academics, researcher and the general public with a particular interest in religion/art 

• London and UK residents in connection with Middle East and South Asia 

• International Tourists.

• Further research on this cult• Attract new audience drawn from south Asian and middle eastern communities

• Discussion between different religious faiths• Show London’s cosmopolitan background from historic period.

2014 will be the 60th Anniversary of discovery of  London Mithraeum. It could be a celebration of  this discovery if this exhibition will happen during this time. 

This exhibition can travel all these UK partner museums which housed roman antiquities related with Mithra cult. This would be a collaborative effort to maximize the information in corroboration with these museums collection. 

• Museum Of London• Ashmolean Museum, Oxford• The Collection, Lincoln • Yorkshire Museum• The Great North Museum, New Castle  

• Minister of Culture • Mayor of London• Sheriff of London• Diplomats• Directors of UK Partner museums• Academics, Researchers and Students of Classical 

History and Archaeology• Media

• Seminar/ Colloquium on Mithra highlighting its scope of further research

• Performance of initiation in Mithra Cult or Roman Religion• Young Friend’s sleepover through story telling session on Mithra

Cult and his connection with other religion • Gallery Talk/ Study days • Group lecture packages on Roman religion• Guided tour of London Mithraeum and other roman remains in 

London• Film Show based on Roman History.

• Corporate• Trust & Charity• Individual 

Sponsorship‐Full/partial

• Sharing costs with other UK partner museums.

• Advertisement‐ Transport/ Print & Broadcasting media

• Poster• Online/ Website • Brochure • Internal Network with Members/ Friends of Museum/Trustees.

• Memento/ Replica of  Mithra sculpture• Replicas of coins containing Mithra figure • Costume of Mithra, specially Phrygian cap and boot• Research publication on Mithra Cult • Musk of Mithra, Replica of Roman wine cup • Plaque depicted Mithra figure/ Key ring • Picture post card/ Wall hanging • T –Shirt containing map of Roman Britain/ London

Acknowledgement

I am highly thankful to,

Allen & Company Dr. Sona DattaDr. T.Richard BlurtonITP British Museum