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Underneath the streets of Rome are hidden mystic old cultic temples from the old pagan times of Rome. There is much more to the subterranean world of ancient Rome than the famous catacombs of Rome. The pagan religion of Rome was not a monolithic religion. It was varied, it was complicated, and it changed over time - one should not oversimplify the ancient Roman religions.

The Romans also had a number of mystic cults, of which little is understood today. The Villa of Mysteries in Pompeii seems to depict one mystery cult - the Dionysian/Bacchus Mystery cult - a Greco-Roman mystery cult. Descend underground to learn about another mystery cult at the Mithraeum at Circus Maximus in Rome.

Statue of the god Mithras in a Mithraeum
Shutterstock
Statue of the god Mithras in a Mithraeum 

What To Know About The Underground Mysterious Mithraea Temples Of Rome

The Roman Empire was a pagan institution (until it converted to Christianity later on). Over its long history, its religion, cults of the emperors, and gods changed. Mithraea are found particularly where the Roman legions were stationed along the frontiers of the empire. Some were later converted into crypts beneath Christian churches.

Mithraea (singular, Mithraeum) were underground cave Mithraic temples. Most of the Mithraea temples are dated between 100 BC and 300 AD and are found mostly within the borders of the old Roman Empire. A Mithraeum was built in a cavern, natural cave, or a building imitating a cave. A Mithraeum was found under London, and today visitors can see it hidden in the basement of a modern building.

Despite a number of Mithraea being found across the Roman Empire, there is still little understood about the actual religious practices of the believers. There is much to know about the secret sacrifice, ritual meals of bread and wine, and ritual prayers that went on in these subterranean caves. It is known that membership in the cult of Mithras was only open to the initiated. It is possible the origins are traced back to the cult of the Persian god Mitra. The roots of the religion could stretch back as far as 1200 BC.

Most of the Mithraea features an image of the god Mithras slaying a bull (called "tauroctony).

Aerial View of The Circus Maximus
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Aerial View of The Circus Maximus

The central chamber of a Mithraeum was dark and windowless (in contrast to the more bright and open Roman temples on the surface). They were also quite small, generally holding only between 30 and 40 people.

Related: This Ancient Roman Temple Is Considered One Of The Best Preserved Today, And You Can Visit

The Mithraeum At Circus Maximus - One Of The Largest In Rome

One of the largest Mithraic temples found in Rome is located next to the famous Circus Maximus. The Circus Maximus (or Largest Circus) was the largest and oldest ancient circus of Rome, and its remains can still be seen today. Today it is hidden from those who don't know where to look and was dedicated to the mystery cult of the god Mithras.

The Mithraeum at Circus Maximus was discovered in 1931 during the years of Benito Mussolini when there were many major building projects in Rome.

The Mithraeum dates from the 2nd century AD and has five parallel - although separated - chambers and a central sanctuary. There are two niches for statues of Caute and Cautopates and a place that would once have had a statue of the god Mithras.

The temple incorporates marble, and its walls are plastered.

Mystery Roman cult temple Mithraeum
MarbellaStudio / Shutterstock
Mystery Roman cult temple Mithraeum

Related: This Is Ancient Rome's Largest Temple (And Yes, It's Impressive)

What To Know About Visiting The Mithraeum At The Circus Maximus

The Mithraeum at the Circus Maximus is open to the public but is only accessible by appointment. So if one would like to visit the Mithraeum at the Circus Maximus, be sure to plan in advance and book a special tour of the ancient temple. Underground temples may not be as impressive as the grand temples on the surface, but they are still key to understanding the lives and belief systems of the ancient Romans.

  • Tour of The Mithraeum At Circus Maximus: From 55 Euros (per person depending on group size)

Take a tour of the Mithraeum at Circus Maximus and explore the ancient cultic world underneath the streets of ancient Rome. On the tour of the Mithraeum of Circus Maximus, visitors get to see the different rooms and see the depiction of "Mitra," killing the sacred bull and bringing prosperity to the universe.

Read the ancient inscription that reads: “Deo Soli Invicto Mithrae Ti(berius) Cl(audio) Hermes ob votum dei typum d(ono) d(at)”, translating as: “To the undefeated god of the sun Mitra, Tiberius Claudio Hermes offers the image of the god after a vow.”

Side view of the Roman Circus Maximus with green trees and a bright blue sky above
Photo by tommao wang on Unsplash
Side view of the Roman Circus Maximus with green trees and a bright blue sky above

See a very different side of ancient Rome that few people ever get to see - or even think of exploring.

Learn more about the religion of ancient Rome by visiting the remains of the oldest and most important temple of Rome - the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus.