Project « The roman cult of Mithras »

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. Since 2021, the Royal Museum of Mariemont has been an important player in this field of research, following a major international exhibition organised by the European Union’s Creative Europe programme (https://mithra-project.eu/).

The Roman Cult of Mithras is a global phenomenon that was brought to light by means of over 130 sanctuaries discovered the length and breadth of the Empire. We learn more about the subject each year thanks to many archaeological discoveries. Further investigation of these material sources is enabling us to better understand the operations of the cult (followers, practices and gestures).

Research projects:

Greek and Roman Antiquities

Researchers

Nicolas Amoroso

Richard Veymiers

Discover other research projects

Face to Face: The People Behind the Mummy Portraits

Study of 12 mummy portraits (also known as ‘Fayum portraits’) using the latest broadband spectral imaging techniques.

Polychrome : the colours of roman sculptures revealed

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.

Domestic deities 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.

Scientific team

Each curator is responsible for one of the museum sections (Egyptian & Near Eastern Antiquities, Greek & Roman Antiquities, Regional & Estate Archaeology, Decorative Arts, Non-European Arts, Regional & Estate History), its preservation and development. They also create the content for the Museum’s permanent and temporary exhibitions in their own specific field.

Discover the scientific team