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All the United Kingdom England Northumberland Temple of Mithras, Carrawburgh
AO Edited

Temple of Mithras, Carrawburgh

This temple was constructed entirely by Roman soldiers.

Northumberland, England

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katielou106
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Temple of Mithras   katielou106 / Atlas Obscura User
  rbenn250 / Atlas Obscura User
The altars at the temple.   katielou106 / Atlas Obscura User
Headless statue.   katielou106 / Atlas Obscura User
Looking through the small temple.   katielou106 / Atlas Obscura User
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Today, these small ruins are all that can be seen of the Carrawburgh Roman Fort. 

Mithraism was a Roman religion inspired by the god Mithras, who was originally a Persian warrior god.

As the legend goes, Mithras had captured and killed a sacred bull in a cave. Mithraic temples often envoke a gloomy, cave-like atmosphere. The cult of Mithras placed a great emphasis on valor, honor, and military prowess.

Soldiers based at Carrawburgh fort would have used this temple as a house of worship. The structure was completed around 200 CE and was destroyed around 150 years later. Several Mithraic temples are known to have existed along Hadrian's Wall, but Carrawburgh's is the only one where ruins are still visible. This is also the second most northerly Mithraic temple in the country. The three altars found at the temple were all dedicated by commanding officers stationed in the region.

The stones found at the site today are replicas. The originals can be found at the Great North Museum in Newcastle. 

Related Tags

History & Culture Temples Roman

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This site can be reached through a field, parts of which are uneven and can become muddy. The area is also prone to flooding. There is a car park at the site for a small fee.

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katielou106

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rbenn250

  • rbenn250

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January 14, 2021

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Temple of Mithras, Carrawburgh
Hadrian's Wall Walk
Northumberland, England, NE46 4DB
United Kingdom
55.033839, -2.22251
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