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Cautes and Cautopates in Mithraism by Mathieu RB is a document available to read on EtoBox.
Cautes and Cautopates are torch-bearing figures that attend the god Mithras in depictions of the Mithraic mysteries. Cautes holds his torch upward, representing sunrise, while Cautopates holds his torch downward, representing sunset. They can also symbolize life and death, or the spring and autumn equinoxes. Both figures are depicted smaller than Mithras and wearing Persian-style clothing to represent the supposed oriental origins of the cult.
- Author
- Mathieu RB
- Language
- EN