But the worship of Mithra in the form in which it spread throughout
the Roman Empire, Mithra as the god of the Imperial armies, the deity
beloved of the Roman legionary, was in no sense of this concrete and
material type.
This is how Cumont sums up the main features. Mithra is the Mediator,
who stands between "le Dieu inaccessible, et inconnaissable, qui regne
dans les spheres etherees, et le genre humain qui s'agite ici-bas."--"Il
est le Logos emane de Dieu, et participant a sa toute puissance, qui
apres avoir forme le monde comme demiurge continue a veiller sur lui."
The initiates must practice a strict chastity--"La resistance a la
sensualite etait un des aspects du combat contre le principe du mal--le
dualisme Mithraique servait de fondement a une morale tres pure et
tres efficace."[4]
Finally, Mithraism taught the resurrection of the body--Mithra will
descend upon earth, and will revive all men. All will issue from
their graves, resume their former appearance and recognize each
other. All will be united in one great assembly, and the good will
be separated from the evil. Then in one supreme sacrifice Mithra
will immolate the divine bull, and mixing its fat with the consecrated
wine will offer to the righteous the cup of Eternal Life.
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