Reza Assasi

Mithraeum as a Symbolic Planetarium

Abstract

The architecture of Mithraea is of a unique and stable design. A Mithraeum is commonly a basilica-type, vaulted, cave-like dark chamber portraying the tauroctony at one end. Porphyry reports that the Mithraeum is designed like a cave because the cave conveys an image of the cosmos. Regardless of the prior existence of the possible graphics of stars and cosmos on the ceiling, the most dominant element of the Mithraeum is tauroctony (the mithraic bull-slaying scene) at the center of the corridor and the arch on top of the tauroctony portraying the zodiac or the celestial clouds aligned with the vault of the Mithraeum. The author suggests that the figure of Mithras on the tauroctony represent the north ecliptic pole and argues for the importance of this astronomical reference in the Mithraic iconography and mythology.

The author also demonstrates the possible relation of his proposed astrological model to the geocentric understanding of the axial precession around the ecliptic pole , where the Roman bull-slaying Mithras could be visualized in the form of a Mithraic constellation. The author emphasized on the architectural concept of vaulted shape of Roman Mithraea in relation to Mithraic iconography as a symbolic representation of the cosmos revolving around the north ecliptic pole.

Biography

Dr. Reza Assasi is an Architect and Archaeoastronomer and has a PhD in Architecture History and Theory from McGill University. His research interests include Origins of Architecture Geometry, Roman Architecture, and Mithraic Studies.

He also has professional and post-professional Masters of Architecture and is member of Ontario Association of Architects and Royal Architectural Institute of Canada.