Google "free things to do in London" and there are heaps. London is expensive, so having lots of free things to do is fab for both locals and visitors (I fall somewhere in-between).
So on to my 2nd tick of the day following my also free visit to the Sky Garden. I added this one because it was free and because I had no idea what a Mithraeum was. Sounded vaguely Roman, old and exotic, will check it out and add it to the 60 before 60 list.
Well I got the Roman and old bit right. A Mithraeum is a temple built by the worshippers of Mithras with most dated between 100 BC and 300 AD. The London Mithraeum, also known as the Temple of Mithras was discovered during construction back in 1954. There you are, going about your work day and voila, up pops the marble head of some dude. That's one way of getting out of work. Excuse me boss, but I've found a head and some other old stuff. Down tools until the entire site was relocated allowing construction to continue and then eventually moved back to where it was found (currently under Bloomberg's European headquarters).
So who was this Mithras character? Well it appears he was a Pagan, bull-killing god originating in Persia. The mysterious cult of Mithras first appeared in Rome in the 1st Century and spread across the Empire. Only men were allowed, and members met in secret underground temples having to pass a series of secret squirrel initiations. Boys and their boys clubs.
It's a small site and they play an interesting film that gives a bit more info. A replica of the Mithras head is there. As with other old things, the original is in the British Museum. At least this one was found on British soil.
Oh, this is a good list of 101 free things to do in London!
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