Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
MITHRA & THE GREAT SACRIFICE
Worship of the god Mithra originated in Persia. As Roman rule extended into the West,
the religion became extremely popular with traders, imperial slaves and mercenaries
of the Roman army, and spread rapidly throughout the Empire in the 1st and 2nd cen-
turies AD. In fact, Mithraism was the principal rival of Christianity until Constantine, a
convert to that religion, came to the throne in the 4th century.
Mithraism was a mysterious religion and its devotees (mostly male) were sworn to
secrecy. What little is known of Mithra, the god of justice and social contract, has been
deduced from reliefs and icons found in temples, like the fragment found at Aquinc-
um. Most of these portray Mithra wearing a Persian-style cap and tunic and sacrificing
a white bull in front of Sol, the sun god. From the bull's blood sprout grain and grapes,
and from its semen animals grow. Sol's wife Luna, the moon, begins her cycle and
time is born.
Mithraism and Christianity competed strongly because of a striking similarity in
many of their rituals. Both religions involved the birth of a deity on the winter solstice
(around 25 December), shepherds, death and resurrection and a form of baptism. De-
votees of Mithraism knelt when they worshipped and a common meal - a 'commu-
nion' of bread and water - was a regular feature of the liturgy.
Óbuda
INTERNATIONAL
PASTRAMI
8am-11pm; 86, 17, HÉV Tímár utca)
A sort-of attempt at a New York-style deli in a loft-like building in Óbuda's Újlak district,
this place does indeed serve its namesake in its many guises, including the celebrated
Reuben sandwich (1700Ft). But come here too for breakfast, more complicated mains, and
caponata, their out-of-this-word sweet-and-sour Sicilian relish.
ITALIAN
VAPIANO
8am-11pm Mon-Thu, to midnight Fri, 11am-midnight Sat, to 11pm Sun; ; 17)
This branch of the popular pizza and pasta bar is a welcome addition to Óbuda's dining
scene and convenient to everything.
