PGM IV: The Mithras Liturgy
- Date of account
- Roman imperial period; surviving papyrus copy generally dated late antique
- Location
- Egypt; papyrus now associated with the Greek Magical Papyri corpus
- Source
- model_recalled_reference
- Record updated
- 2026-10-10
Record summary
The so-called Mithras Liturgy is a long Greek ritual describing ascent through cosmic zones, encounters with divine powers, breath control, visualizations, and a solar or Mithraic figure. It is one of the most discussed texts in the Greek Magical Papyri because scholars debate whether it reflects genuine Mithraic religion, Hermetic theurgy, or a syncretic literary construction. The title is modern and interpretive rather than necessarily ancient. Comparison with Neoplatonic theurgy, Egyptian ritual, and Roman Mithraism is promising, but provenance and ritual performance remain uncertain. This is an AI-recalled lead; source quality 5 and corroboration 0.
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