24 SEPTEMBER 1921, Page 24

Mithraism and Christianity. By L. Patterson. (Cambridge University Press. 63.

net.)—The mysterious Persian cult which was popular at Rome from the first to the fourth century, and which had votaries in the garrisons on the Roman Wall in Northumberland, is well described in this able essay. Mr. Patterson examines the alleged similarities between Mithraism and Christianity, and shows that they have been misrepresented or much exaggerated. Mithraism in its pure form was a manly though selfish creed, but it was too easily corrupted to survive in competition with Christianity.