Through a Glass Darkly

A mosaic in the basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Ravenna depicts a procession of wise virgins, including three men dressed in Phrygian caps—a symbol often associated with Mithraism. This finding challenges the prevailing silence of early medieval Christian polemicists regarding pagan influences, suggesting a more nuanced relationship between Christianity and earlier traditions. The study examines the Welsh bard Taliesin as a potential 'initiate,' linking him to underground Mithraism in the sixth century. While classical revivals during the Renaissance drew inspiration from various sources, Mithras remained peripheral, with no significant artistic works emerging from Mithraic monuments. The research sheds light on the subtle persistence of pagan elements in Christian art and thought.

Fear, A. (2022). Through a Glass Darkly. Mithras, 189–204. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429491467-14