This research programme is investigating the Cult of Mithras, a mysterious god from the East who was the subject of a very unusual and extremely popular cult in the Roman Empire.

Mariemont’s Roman antiquities collection includes a large number of bronze statuettes of deities. Spread over all four corners of the Empire, these objects could be found in small private temples in Roman homes. 

Assembled by Raoul Warocqué, with the expert advice of Franz Cumont, Mariemont’s collection of Greek and Roman sculptures is one of the largest in Europe.

Mariemont’s Greek and Roman collections were assembled at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. An indication of provenance has been documented for most of the objects. However, they have more often than not passed through the hands of collectors.