MithraCon is ON for 2008!
The New England Conference on Mithraic Studies, now entering its 11th year, is an informal research
convention for people interested in the study of the god Mithras, whose
popularity reached its height among the Roman legions in about 100 to
400 CE.
Mithraism touches on many aspects of ancient history — early Christianity, mystery religions, philosophy, astrology, symbolism, the Roman provincial system, Zoroastrianism, and more. People attending MithraCon bring their individual research interests and ideas, and get a chance to try those ideas out on others and discover new ways of looking at ancient history.
MithraCon is held at Yale University, and convention highlights include the chance to do research in Yale's world-class libraries and a visit to the Dura-Europos Mithraeum, housed in the lowest floor of the Yale Art Museum.
As
the name MithraCon indicates, it's not all serious scholarship. Discussions
are often lively and interesting. There are side trips to the bookstores
of New Haven. Many participants bring their own wares to sell (everything
from spices to books to art to ancient artifacts).
Conference dates for 2008 are Thursday, April 10 through Sunday, April 13. Please register early!
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In Memoriam: Dick Eney, MithraCon regular and writer of wonderful things, died of a stroke Dec. 22, 2006, at age 74. His intelligence, knowledge and wit will be greatly missed. |