Rare Roman god worshipped in secret underground ritual present in cricket pavillion
A rare Roman altar linked to the sun god Sol and secret underground rituals has been unearthed near Edinburgh, with the 4ft sandstone monument, now heading for display
The rare Roman stone altar (Image: National Museums Scotland)
A rare Roman stone altar linked to an ancient sun god and used in secret man-only ceremonies is set to go on display. Archaeologists inspecting the ground ahead of a new cricket pavilion at Lewisvale Park, near Edinburgh, found the mysterious artefact in 2010.
The altar, which was found broken into two pieces, was made from pale sandstone and would have stood around 4ft (1.23m) tall. At the top are four carved women’s heads, thought to represent the seasons.
In the middle is a face believed to be sun god Sol, set inside a carved circle. The eyes, mouth and six “sun rays” on the crown were cut right through the stone so light could shine from behind, creating a glowing effect.
The inscription reportedly suggests the altar was set up by a Roman soldier called Gaius Cassius Flavianus, who may have been the officer in charge at the Roman base in Inveresk, Scotland. The fort was founded in AD142 as part of the Antonine Wall defences, guarding the Empire’s northernmost boundary.
National Museums Scotland, which has taken in the Altar to Sol along with a second altar dedicated to the god Mithras, says the monuments would have been used during secret ceremonies, Live Science reported. Fraser Hunter, curator of Iron Age and Roman archaeology at National Museums Scotland, explained: “In the dark of the temple, you would see the rays and the eyes of the sun god glaring at you.”
The altars to Sol and Mithras are unique in Scotland and point to the beliefs of soldiers stationed along the Antonine Wall. Mithras and Sol gave soldiers “a sense that there was a purpose to the world and that there was a life after death”, Hunter said.
The rare carved altars will go on display at National Museums Scotland from November 14. Mithras and Sol were both linked to the sun in ancient Roman religion, but they weren’t worshipped in the same way.
One was followed in secret by small groups, while the other was honoured openly across the Empire. Mithras was the key figure in a hidden belief system known as Mithraism, Told In Stone explained.
It became especially popular with Roman soldiers and officials between the 1st and 4th centuries AD. Followers met in small underground temples called Mithraea, which were often built to feel like caves, and worship was private and exclusive.
Mithras is almost always shown in Roman art killing a bull inside a cave, a scene known as the tauroctony. Believers thought this act released life-giving power into the world.
The cult was for men only and had different levels of initiation, with ranks linked to the planets. Sol and Mithras were often connected.
In some Roman beliefs and artwork, Mithras and Sol appear as close allies and are sometimes even blended together. Scenes show them sharing a ritual meal, or Mithras travelling in Sol’s chariot, suggesting their worship overlapped for some followers.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.
