Formation of the Mithraic Temples in Northwestern Iran and Comparison with Roman Mithraeums

Space Ontology International Journal

مقاله 4، دوره 8، شماره 4 - شماره پیاپی 31، اسفند 2019، صفحه 37-56   

نوع مقاله: Original Article

نویسنده

Javad shekari Niri

Conservation of Historical Buildings Department, Faculty of architecture and urban planning, Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, Iran

چکیده

Mithraism was a mystery religion centered on the god Mithras that was practiced in the ancient world including India, Iran, Anatolia, Etc. There is still much uncertainty about its nature and its origin, despite numerous documents such as the most ancient religious books of the world including the Avesta and Rig Veda, and the oldest inscriptions including: Boğazköyand Achaemenid inscriptions, and finding hundreds of temples in the territory of ancient Rome. One of the ambiguities is that how the temples of this religious tradition were built in Iran. The main question here is that “is there any possible similarities in Iranian temples to the European types or not?” To investigate the question, the plans and architectural spaces and components of the Mithra temples are compared using inductive methods and library studies in two civilizations that are altogether different in terms of their environmental and cultural conditions. The research hypothesis emphasizes the difference between the Roman Mithra temples and Iranian types. Despite that, they have a unique root; however, they have some imagined similarities. Finally, it was found, that different environmental conditions gave rise to a different understanding of religion, and so on. The main purpose of the article is to study and introduce several Iranian Mithra temples. The plan of the Roman temples is rectangular, but a study of the Iranian temples of Abāzar, Varjuvi, and Bādāmiyar (Qadamgāh) showed that the most of them had a dome-shaped space with a circular plan and their walls lacked paintings and sculptures. Nevertheless, as Herodotus has already described, the Qarashirān temple has square plan in the meantime; such Iranian temples lack authentic decorations inside and out. The results of the research show that what was depicted in the European Mithra temples, was performed during a special ceremony in Iran; a point that all artistic and written sources acknowledge.

کلیدواژه‌ها

Abāzar original Mithra temple؛ Varjuvi Mithra temple؛ tauroctony؛ Roman Mithraeums؛ Nerseh Mithraeum

مراجع

1. Adrych, Ph. Bracey, R. (Writer on coins) Dalglish, D. Lenk, S. Wood, R. (2017). Images of Mithra, Volume 1, Oxford University Press.
2. AliJabari, Z. & FarahiNia, A. H., (2017). “Analyzing Architecture of Mithraism Rock Temples”, Journal of History Culture and Art Research, 6(3), 1030-1042.
3. Amendola, L. (2018). Mithras and the Zodiac, Journal of Ancient History and Archaeology, No. 5.1/2018, PP. 24-39
4. Ara, M. (2008). Eschatology in the Indo-Iranian Traditions: The Genesis and Transformation of a Doctrine, Peter Lang, New York, USA. Aylward, William (Ed.), Excavations at Zeugma conducted by Oxford Archeology (Packard Humanities Institute, 2013), 220-231.           
5. Ball, W. (1979). The Imamzadeh Masum at Vardjovi: A Rock-Cut Il-khanid Complex near Maragheh, Archäologische Mitteilungen aus Iran Berlin, 1979, vol. 12, pp. 329-340.
6. Ball. W. (1986). Some Rock-Cut Monuments in Southern Iran, Iran, Journal of the British Institute of Persian Studies, Vol. 24, pp. 95-115.
7. Ball. W. (1998). How Far Did Buddhism spread west, al-Rafidan, Vol. X, P.1-14.
8. Ball, W & Whitehouse, D. (1976). Qal'at-i Ḥaidarī, Iran, Volume 14, pp. 147-150.
9. Bier, L. (1986). The Masjid-i Sang near Dārāb and the Mosque of Shahr-i Īj: Rock-Cut Architecture of the Il-Khanid Period, Iran, Vol. 24.  
10. Briant, P. (2002). From Cyrus to Alexander: A History of the Persian Empire, translated by Peter T. Daniels, Publisher: Eisenbrauns, Indiana, USA.
11. Chacrabarti, V. (1998). Indian Architectural Theory, Contemporary use of Vastu Vidiya, Curzon Press, Britain.
12. Chalupa, A. (2016). The Origins of the Roman Cult of Mithras in the Light of New Evidence and Interpretations: Religio, the Current State of Affairs. X X I V / 2 0 1 6 / 1 / R o z h l e d y, Czech Republic, PP.65-96
13. De Jong, A. (1997). Traditions of the Magi: Zoroastrianism in Greek and Latin Literature, Publisher, BRILL, LEIDEN, Germany
14. Chikkalgi, R. (2017). Hindu architecture, Published on Mar 23, 2017.https://www.slideshare.net/roopachikkalgi/hindu-architecture-73527915 Accesses 2017.   
15. Eduljee. K. E. (2016). mithra, mithraism, christmas day & yalda - Zoroastrian Heritage, West Vancouver, BC, Canada
16. Foltz, R. (2013). Mithra and Mazda: A re-assessment of their relative status in ancient Iran, Research Gate, Cumont, F. V.M. (1956) The Mysteries of Mithra, Dover Publications, New York, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada. PP. 161- 187.
17. Gholami, Kh. (2019). Qadamgah Mosque of Azarshahr, 2019 February 17. https://www.mizanonline.com/fa/news/494742.
18. Griffith, A. B. (2006). Women and the Female Principle in the Mithraic Cult, Numen, Vol. 53, No. 1, Published by: Brill, Leiden, pp. 48-77.
19. Guimet, Museé. (2012). "Cybele Plate." Ancient History Enc yclopedia. Ancient History Encyclopedia, 26 Apr 2012. Web. 19 Jul 2019.
20. Joneydi, F. (1984). Iranian Mihr, Fravahr Journal, Serial number 281, No. 5, pp. 479-494 and 559-568
21. Gordon, R. (2017). Mithra(s) between Persia and Rome: Persianism in Antiquity, Edited by Rolf Strootman and Miguel John Versluys. Franz Steiner Verlag, Stuttgart. PP. 289-325.
22. Harmatta, J. Puri, B. N. Lelekov, L. Humayun, S. and D. C. Sircar, (1994). “Religions in the Kushan Empire" History of civilizations of Central Asia, Volume I, UNESCO, France, Paris, pp. 305-320.
23. Harris, A. (2001). The Development of Civilization and Religion in India &, Chenni, India.
24. Herodotus, (2013). The Histories, translated by George Rawlinson, Roman Roads Media, Moscow, Idaho
25. Hinnells, J. R. (1997). Persian Mythology, (Library of the World's Myths and Legends) Publisher: Chancellor, London.
26. Holloway,A. (2013). Shab-e-Yalda - ... the triumph of Mithra, https://www.ancient-origins.net. Access 2020.
27. Huff, D. (2005). “Iran in Sasanian and Medieval Islamic Periods, Persia’s Ancient Splendor, Mining, Handicraft and Archaeology”, Exhibition Catalogue, pp. 416-439.
28. Kāmbakhsh Fard, S. (1994). Archeological Survey of Azarshahr and Marāgheh, other words about the construction of several monasteries and mosques, Cultural Heritage, Year 1. No. 42, PP. 139-163.
29. Clauss, M. (2001). The Roman Cult of Mithras: The God and His Mysteries, Translated by Richard Gordon, Pub. Taylor & Francis, New York,     
30. Kleiss, W. (1972). Bericht über Erkundungsfahrten in Iran im Jahre 1971, Archäologische Mitteilungen aus Iran 5: 191-242.         
31. Khorasani, M., Fesharaki, M. Dhani, Ph. (2013). Iconic Reflection of Mithraic Sacrifice - Myth of Slaying the First Bull (EvagdaÌt) - The Seven Beauties â Nizami,(Haft Peycar-e- Nizami) Volume 7, Issue 2, Islamic Azad University, Najaf Abad Branch P.1-20 (In Persian).
32. Labbaf Khaniki, M. (2012). "A comparative analysis of a particular form of Troglodytic Architecture: Iranian mehrkadeh and Roman mithraium." Athar Jornal, Volume 33, Issue 58, PP. 94-108.
33. Louis F. (2018). Can you keep a secret? The key to unlocking the Mithraic mysteries at Ostia Antica, The Journal Houston Archeological society, No. 138, PP. 43-53.
34. Mastrocinque, A. (2017). The Mysteries of Mithras: A Different Account. Mohr Siebeck,Tubingen, Germani
35. Meisami, J. S. (2015). Haft Paykar: A Medieval Persian Romance: Nizami, Hackett Publishing Company, Incorporated           
36. Malandra, W. W. (1998). Ancient Iranian religion, https://www.britannica.com/topic/ancient-Iranian-religion,
37. Merkelbach, R. (2017). Mithraism Persian religion, Encyclopedia Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Mithraism, Accesses 2019
38. Milani, M. (2014). Sufism in the Secret History of Persia, Routledge Pub. New York, USA, Mir Fattah, A. A.
39. Shekari Niri, J. (1996). Abazar Rocky Village, Journal of Athar, National Heritage Organization, No. 26-27, PP.
40. Mohamadifar, Y, Hemati Azandaryani E. (2017). A study and analysis of Troglodytic Architecture, in Iran Journal of Housing and Rural Environment. (JHRE) 35 (156): 97-110 60-85.
41. Montazer-e Zohuri, M. (2018). https://sefidshahr.ir/post Dr. Majid M. Zohuri to appear to explain some recent suspicions about Nerses Mitaeum (Mehrkadeh) Sefid Shahr. Access: 2019.
42. Mokhlesi, M. A. (1992). The list of monuments of Azerbaijan. Cultural Heritage Organization.
43. Najmi, Sh. (2007). Mehr in the Iranian Geographical Names, Journal of Iranian Studies, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman Volume 6, Issue 12, pp. 164-180.
44. Novin, G. (2014). Mithraism and the Medieval Introduction of Tarot Cards, https://brewminate.com/mithraism-and-the-medieval-introduction-of-tarot-cards/ Posted on March 4, 2017, Access, 2019.
45. Omrani, B, Moradi, A. (2015). The Role of the Parthian’s Zahhak Complex in the Expansion of Mithraism and its Regional Architectural Characteristics, Journal of Archaeological Studies, University of Tehran, Volume 6, Issue 2, Winter and Spring 2015, PP.113-130
46. Parvizi, F. (2007). Editor: Mohammad Reza Shafiei Kedekni, Pub. Scientific and Cultural Publishing Company, Tehran
47. Rice, E.E. (1995). Grottoes on the Acropolis of Hellenistic Rhodes, the Annual of the British School at Athens. Vol. 90, 383-404.
48. Rose, Ch. B. (2013). "A New Relief of Antiochus of Commagene and other Stone Sculpture from Zeugma," in Razm Ara, H. A. (1949). Iranian Geographic Cultural Center, Geography Division of the Army Chief, Volume 1 - 10, Tehran.
49. Sadeghi, A. A. (2003). Location of Āzar borzin- mehr, Journal: Ancient Iran Letter, N. 6, PP.5-18
50. Şahin Güçhan, N. (2013). Nemrut Dağ, UNESCO World Heritage in Turkey, Ankara, PP.130-159
51. Soudavar, A. (2014). Mithraic Societies, From Brotherhood Ideal to Religion's Adversary, Soudavar pub. Houston, USA
52. Shrof, K. B. (2016). Ancient Sogdiana, a 'Zoroastrian Stronghold Society of Scholars of Zoroastrianism (SSZ), Chicago, USA.
53. Shekari Nayeri, J. (2006). Iranian Mithraism Temple and specifications in the European temples. Journal of Iranian Studies, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman Publications, Vol. 5, No. 10.pp. 109-125 
54. Shekari Niri, J. (2017). Review of the City of Khiva: Manifestation of Iranian Culture and Civilization in the Region of Khwarezm, Space Ontology International Journal, Volume 6, Issue 2, PP. 27-46.
55. Shenkar, M. (2011). Temple Architecture in the Iranan world in the Hellenistic Period. Kouremenos, Anna, Chandrasekaran, Sujatha, Boardman, John, From Pella to Gandhara: hybridization and identity in the art and architecture of the Hellenistic, Oxford: Archaeopress, PP.117-139.
56. Temples » Journal of Iranian Studies, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Fifth Year, No. 10, PP. 109 -125.
57. Soltanzadeh, H. Rezaee Ashtiani, S. (2011). Spatial Structure of Mithraism Temple, Volume 1, Issue 1, PP.53-80.
58. Soltani Mohammadi, M & Azad, M. A. (2018). Comparative Analysis of a Special Style in Religious Troglodytic Architecture of Central Zone in Iran (Nain County) and Three Relics in North West of Iran, Pazhohesh-ha-ye- Bastanshenasi Iran, BuAliSina University, Hamadan, Volume 8, Issue 16, PP. 203 – 222.
59. Sommer, M. (2017). The Eternal Persian: Persianism in Ammianus Marcellinus, Persianism in Antiquity, Edited by Rolf Strootman and Miguel John Versluys. Franz Steiner Verlag, Stuttgart. 345-3 54.   
60. Sourshian, J. (1983). Consultation text of "Behrooz Alexander Goshtasb", Favahr Magazine, Series 281, 5, pp. 543-550.
61. Sozeni S. H. (1959). Hakim Souzni Samarghandi's poems, Author: Hakim Samarghandi, Correction: Nasser al-Din Shah Hoseini, Amir Kabir Publishing House, Tehran, (In Persian).
62. Tahmasebi, F. (2018). An Analysis of the Religious Space of the Temple of Mehr Temple Area in Maragheh. Iranian Journal of Archeology, Islamic Azad University, Shoushtar Branch. Volume 8, Number 1, pp.17-29.
63. Tasnim, N. (2018). A famous German archaeologist visited the underground city of Tasmijan. Access: 2019. https://www.tasnimnews.com/fa/news/1397/10/11/1912775   
64. Taylor, E. (2005).Regio V- Insula IX- Mitreo di Felicissimus (V, IX, 1), https://www.ostia-antica.org/regio5/9/9-1.htm, Access 2019. 
65. Ulansey, D. (1991). The Origins of the Mithraic Mysteries: Cosmology and Salvation in the Ancient World by David Ulansey, Oxford University Press.
66. Varjavand, Parviz, (1976). Qadamgāh shrine, a temple of Mihr and a masterpiece of rock architecture in Iran, Iranian Architectural Culture, No. 2 and 3, PP.4-17.
67. Varjavand, Parviz, (1972). Varjvavi Mihr shrine, Historical Reviews, Issue 5, Seventh Year, No. 42,
68. PP. 91-100.
69. Vermaseren M. J. (1971). Mithriaca I: The Mithraeum at S. Maria Capua VetereBrill Academic Publishers, p. 23.
70. Warna, N. (2017). Varjuvi tempel, http://wishnaa.niloblog.com/p/407/, Access 2019 (In Persian)
71. Wahabi, T. (1982). A Brief Review of the History of Kurdish Religions, Translated by Seyyed Jamaladdin Hosseini, Seyyedian Publications, Mahabad, (In Persian)
72. Widengren, G. (1998). Ancient Persia. Translation by Dr. Manouchehr Farhangneh, Die Religionen Irans, Stuttgart, 1965; Fr. Tr. L. Jospin, Les religions de l’ Iran, Paris, 1968.
73. Williams, N. Sims &, (1988). BAGA, an Old Iranian term for “god,” sometimes designating a specific god Encyclopædia Iranica, ‎Encyclopædia Iranica Foundation, United States, Vol. III, Fasc. 4, pp. 403-406 
74. Google map, (2019). https://www.google.com/maps/@37.3324648,46.2429231,15.34z?hl=en-US https://www.pompeiiinpictures.com/pompeiiinpictures/Temples/Santa%20Maria%20Capua%20Vetere%20Mithraeum.htm Nemles, mabademehr.persiangig.com, Index of varjovi, (In Persian)