The Mystery (μυστήριον, mystērion) Religions

Mystery religions where characterized by rites that were only revealed to those who were initiated into the cult. The secrets of the rites were so well kept that very little is known about them (Burkert, Greek Religion, 276). Mystery religions had sanctuaries, priests, and sacrifices and were often practiced by guilds, clubs, and cult associations (Peters, Hellenism, 455). The most widespread mystery religions were:

• The Eleusian mysteries, which were named after the town of Eleusis where they were centered. The term describes several mystery cults dedicated to Demeter and Persephone, Kore, and Dionysus. They were extremely popular, even among the emperors (Peters, Hellenism, 454 n. 7).

• The Great Mother cult, which developed and spread from Cybele’s cult in Phrygia (Bøgh, “Mother of the Gods,” 32–67). It became widespread, including such iterations as Artemis of the Ephesians (Arnold, Power and Magic, 26). It was eventually accepted by the Romans in 209 bc as Magna Mater (Peters, Hellenism, 453–6). The non-Roman forms were practiced with ecstatic rituals and self-mutilation (Peters, Hellenism, 474–5).

• The mysteries of Mythra, which were of Iranian origin. Mythraism was mostly practiced in Anatolia but spread to Rome through its popularity with the military. Due to Mythraism’s association with “masculine” virtue and characterization as a savior god, Mythra was eventually adopted as the patron of Rome in ad 307 (Peters, Hellenism, 478).

• The cult of Isis, which originated in Egypt and was popular among the elite Roman classes. It was distinguished by its highly structured cult (Peters, Hellenism, 471–3). Several of the Roman emperors sought to suppress the Isis cult due to its foreign nature (Moehring, “Isis Cult,” 293–304)