The Power of the Winter Sun: From Sol and Mithras to Christ

The Power of the Winter Sun: From Sol and Mithras to Christ - Thematic Tour with Frank Merkle M.A. The time around the winter solstice was, in the cults revolving around the sun god Sol as well as Mithras, by far the most important moment in the annual cycle, when religious life reached its peak. Furthermore, the veneration of the two already shows a clear tendency towards monotheism. Several emperors portrayed themselves with a crown of rays as the sun god, and on several occasions, the sun cult was on the verge of being elevated to the state religion, such as during the time of Emperor Aurelian. A continuation of the pagan sun symbolism can also be found in later Christian concepts, such as the birth of the Son of God shortly after the winter solstice. Thematic tour with Frank Merkle M.A.