Today (25th December) is the day in the later Roman empire when people celebrated the winter solstice and the birthday of the sun god Sol Invictus
Sol Invictus
Sol Invictus was the official sun god of the later Roman Empire and a patron of soldiers. On 25 December AD 274, the Roman emperor Aurelian made it an official cult alongside the traditional Roman cults. Scholars disagree about whether the new deity was a refoundation of the ancient Lati…
Why do we celebrate Sol Invictus' birthday on 25 December?
Today (25th December) is the day in the later Roman empire when people celebrated the winter solstice and the birthday of the sun god Sol Invictus: the day was called ‘dies natalis Invicti’. Sol Invictus (the ‘unconquered sun’ or ‘unconquerable sun’) drove a racing-chariot ( quadriga) drawn by four horses.
What does Sol Invictus mean?
Silver disc dedicated to Sol Invictus from the 3rd century CE. Sol Invictus ("Unconquered Sun") was the official sun god of the later Roman empire. In 274 Aurelian made it an official cult alongside the traditional Roman cults.
When did Sol Invictus become an official religion in Rome?
Some fifty years later, on 25 December AD 274, the Roman emperor Aurelian did succeed to establish the cult of Sol Invictus as an official religion, alongside the traditional Roman cults.
Who is Sol Invictus in Circus Maximus?
The Circus Maximus had been dedicated to Sol Indiges since ancient times, and then was dedicated to Sol Invictus. The Roman emperor Aurelian created the cult of Sol Invictus during his reign in AD 270-275 (in the 3rd century) and, on his coins, Sol was described as ‘Dominus Im perii Romani’, the official deity of the Roman empire.
When did the Romans celebrate Sol Invictus?
The Roman Emperor Aurelian established a feast of the birth of Sol Invictus (the Unconquered Sun), on this date in 274 CE. The move elevated the Sun God to a higher status among the divinities of Rome (which, of course, elevated the Sun God's priesthood as well).
How was Sol Worshipped?
Sol, in Roman religion, name of two distinct sun gods at Rome. The original Sol, or Sol Indiges, had a shrine on the Quirinal, an annual sacrifice on August 9, and another shrine, together with Luna, the moon goddess, in the Circus Maximus.
Who Worshipped Sol Invictus?
Sol Invictus, on the other hand, was a Syrian sun god whose cult was first promoted in Rome under Elagabalus, without success. Some fifty years later, on 25 December AD 274, the Roman emperor Aurelian did succeed to establish the cult of Sol Invictus as an official religion, alongside the traditional Roman cults.
What is Sol worship?
The worship of Sol was introduced to the Romans by Titus Tatius. It is believed the Roman pantheon had two sun gods. The worship of the first (Sol Indiges, the native sun), eventually died out, whereas the cult of the second (Sol Invictus, the invincible sun), was reinvigorated by the Emperor Aurelian.
Is Sol a god or goddess?
Sol is the personification of the Sun and a god in ancient Roman religion. It was long thought that Rome actually had two different, consecutive sun gods: The first, Sol Indiges (Latin: the deified sun), was thought to have been unimportant, disappearing altogether at an early period.
When was Christmas first celebrated?
December 25, AD 336The first recorded Christmas celebration was in Rome on December 25, AD 336. In the 3rd century, the date of the nativity was the subject of great interest.
Why is Christmas celebrated on December 25th?
It is celebrated by the majority of Christians. The Roman Christian historian Sextus Julius Africanus dated Jesus's conception to March 25, which, after 9 months, is December 25. Hence, the birth date was decided.
Are Sol Invictus and Mithras the same?
The sun god Sol was originally a separate god, but Mithras was often worshipped together with “Sol Invictus”, the conquering sun. This is why in the show, the two gods have been blended into one and the Mithraists, or “Mithraic”, worship a single god called Sol, who is associated with “the Light”.
What is Sol The goddess of?
Goddess of the sunSol is the Goddess of the sun and sister to the moon God Mani.
Did Rome worship the sun?
The worship of the Sun (Sol) was indigenous to the Romans, who had a temple to Sol Indiges on the Quirinal Hill that was said to have been established by Tatius, king of the Sabines, its first inhabitants who, after the rape of the Sabine women, reconciled with Romulus and ruled jointly in the eighth century BC ( ...
Is Helios A Sol?
Helios is often depicted in art with a radiant crown and driving a horse-drawn chariot through the sky. He was a guardian of oaths and also the god of sight....HeliosRoman equivalentSolNorse equivalentSólEtruscan equivalentUsilHinduism equivalentSurya21 more rows
Who was the Greek sun god?
HeliosHelios, (Greek: “Sun”) in Greek religion, the sun god, sometimes called a Titan. He drove a chariot daily from east to west across the sky and sailed around the northerly stream of Ocean each night in a huge cup.
Who Is Sol Invictus?
The god of the Unconquered Sun, Sol Invictus, was the official sun god of the later Empire of Rome. The Emperor Aurelian reintroduced the sun god and cult in 274 AD. The Emperor Constantine, also known as Constantine the Great, made the practice of Christianity legal in Rome, but continued to have his coins inscribed with the words, “Sol Invicto Comiti”, which means Committed to the Invincible Sun.
What day did Sol die?
The Romans believed Sol died on December 21, before being reborn three days later on December 25. December 21 and the three days that follow are the shortest – and therefore darkest – days of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. There are also a number of popular theories that connect the Christian religion to the sun and astrology.
What did Constantine see in the victory of the Roman Empire?
Seemingly, Constantine associated his victory with the power of the sun, and viewed Sol Invictus as very similar to the Christian god. His adoption of Christianity in the Roman Empire was more likely a matter of political strategy than religious conviction.
What did Constantine see on the cross?
As he decided to take the Christian route, he claimed to see a radiant cross above the sun that was scripted with the words “ In hoc signo vinces ”, which means “by this sign conquer”. This was painted on the shields of his army prior to entering the battle. Constantine’s forces prevailed.
When is the birthday of the Sun?
The birthday of the unconquered sun was celebrated at the Roman festival of Dies Natalis Solis Invicti on December 25, and it is often theorized that Constantine had a hand in selecting this day as the celebration date of the birth of Christ as well.
Why is December 25 the first day of Christmas?
There still remain questions concerning the choice of December 25 as the date of Christmas Day. Some people believe the date on which we celebrate the birth of Christ was chosen after the Sol Invictus pagan celebration, while others claim that December 25 was chosen as Christmas Day first. The Romans believed Sol died on December 21, before being reborn three days later on December 25. December 21 and the three days that follow are the shortest – and therefore darkest – days of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
What is the meaning of Sol Invictus?
Sol Invictus, the god of the sun, was one of the most important gods and he symbolised victory, as he defeated darkness and rose every morning. Sol Invictus was the patron of Roman soldiers.
Where is Sol Invictus in the Roman mosaic?
The mosaic is in Tomb M, in the necropolis underneath St Peter’s basilica in Rome.
What were the chariot races in Rome?
Chariot-races for both quadrigae and bigae were presented in Roman circuses. The Circus Maximus in Rome included a temple of Sol (dedicated to Sol Invictus) and a temple of Luna: the temple of Sol included a statue of Sol driving his quadriga and four horses.
What were the Roman circuses?
Roman circuses around the Roman empire featured statues of Sol and Luna in their central barriers. The central barrier ( spina) of the Circus Maximus also featured an Egyptian obelisk which represented a shaft of sunlight and was dedicated to Sol. The festival of Sol Invictus on the 25th December in the later Roman empire combined the festivals ...
Who was the patron of Roman soldiers?
Sol Invictus was the patron of Roman soldiers. (See The Cult of Sol Invictus b y G H Halsberghe (1972) and Roman circuses: arenas for chariot-racing by John Humphrey (1986) .) Only important cults were celebrated with games ( Ludi circenses) in the Roman circus.
Who created the cult of Sol Invictus?
The Roman emperor Aurelian created the cult of Sol Invictus during his reign in AD 270-275 (in the 3rd century) and, on his coins, Sol was described as ‘Dominus Im perii Romani’, the official deity of the Roman empire. The cult of Sol Invictus was centred in Rome but it was followed across the Roman empire. Sol Invictus, the god of the sun, was one ...
Who drove the quadriga?
Sol Invictus (the ‘unconquered sun’ or ‘unconquerable sun’) drove a racing-chariot ( quadriga) drawn by four horses. The Romans interpreted the sun as Sol racing his quadriga across the sky from sunrise to sunset…. Sol was associated with Luna, the goddess of the moon, who drove a chariot ( biga) drawn by two horses.
Who Is Sol Invictus?from mythology.net
The god of the Unconquered Sun, Sol Invictus, was the official sun god of the later Empire of Rome. The Emperor Aurelian reintroduced the sun god and cult in 274 AD. The Emperor Constantine, also known as Constantine the Great, made the practice of Christianity legal in Rome, but continued to have his coins inscribed with the words, “Sol Invicto Comiti”, which means Committed to the Invincible Sun.
What were the chariot races in Rome?from thecolchesterarchaeologist.co.uk
Chariot-races for both quadrigae and bigae were presented in Roman circuses. The Circus Maximus in Rome included a temple of Sol (dedicated to Sol Invictus) and a temple of Luna: the temple of Sol included a statue of Sol driving his quadriga and four horses.
Why was Christmas set on December 25th?from en.wikipedia.org
Christianity. According to some historians, Christmas was set to December 25th because it was the date of the festival of Sol Invictus. This idea became popular especially in the 18th and 19th centuries. Some argue that Christianity assimilated the religion of Sol Invictus and that Jesus himself was Sol Invictus.
Why did Augustus receive the radiate crown?from en.wikipedia.org
Hijmans argues that the Imperial radiate crown represents the honorary wreath awarded to Augustus, perhaps posthumously, to commemorate his victory at the Battle of Actium; he points out that henceforth, living emperors were depicted with radiate crowns, but state divi were not. Hijmans believes this implies that the radiate crown of living emperors is a symbolic link to Augustus. His successors automatically inherited (or sometimes acquired) the same offices and honours due to Octavian as "saviour of the Republic" through his victory at Actium, piously attributed to Apollo - Helios .
When was Sol depicted on coins?from en.wikipedia.org
Sol is depicted sporadically on imperial coins in the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, then more frequently from Septimius Severus onwards until AD 325–326. SOL INVICTUS appears on coin legends from AD 261, well before the reign of Aurelian. Connections between the imperial radiate crown and the cult of Sol are postulated.
Where is Sol Invictus in the Roman mosaic?from thecolchesterarchaeologist.co.uk
The mosaic is in Tomb M, in the necropolis underneath St Peter’s basilica in Rome.
What day did Sol die?from mythology.net
The Romans believed Sol died on December 21, before being reborn three days later on December 25. December 21 and the three days that follow are the shortest – and therefore darkest – days of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. There are also a number of popular theories that connect the Christian religion to the sun and astrology.
Who Is Sol Invictus?from mythology.net
The god of the Unconquered Sun, Sol Invictus, was the official sun god of the later Empire of Rome. The Emperor Aurelian reintroduced the sun god and cult in 274 AD. The Emperor Constantine, also known as Constantine the Great, made the practice of Christianity legal in Rome, but continued to have his coins inscribed with the words, “Sol Invicto Comiti”, which means Committed to the Invincible Sun.
What day did Sol die?from mythology.net
The Romans believed Sol died on December 21, before being reborn three days later on December 25. December 21 and the three days that follow are the shortest – and therefore darkest – days of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. There are also a number of popular theories that connect the Christian religion to the sun and astrology.
What did Constantine see in the victory of the Roman Empire?from mythology.net
Seemingly, Constantine associated his victory with the power of the sun, and viewed Sol Invictus as very similar to the Christian god. His adoption of Christianity in the Roman Empire was more likely a matter of political strategy than religious conviction.
What did Constantine see on the cross?from mythology.net
As he decided to take the Christian route, he claimed to see a radiant cross above the sun that was scripted with the words “ In hoc signo vinces ”, which means “by this sign conquer”. This was painted on the shields of his army prior to entering the battle. Constantine’s forces prevailed.
When is the birthday of the Sun?from mythology.net
The birthday of the unconquered sun was celebrated at the Roman festival of Dies Natalis Solis Invicti on December 25, and it is often theorized that Constantine had a hand in selecting this day as the celebration date of the birth of Christ as well.
Why is December 25 the first day of Christmas?from mythology.net
There still remain questions concerning the choice of December 25 as the date of Christmas Day. Some people believe the date on which we celebrate the birth of Christ was chosen after the Sol Invictus pagan celebration, while others claim that December 25 was chosen as Christmas Day first. The Romans believed Sol died on December 21, before being reborn three days later on December 25. December 21 and the three days that follow are the shortest – and therefore darkest – days of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
Use of The Phrase
Elagabalus
Aurelian
Constantine
Sol and The Other Roman Emperors
Sol Invictus and Sunday
- One day of the week was named after Sol, the sun. However, there was no observance of any of these days in the way that the Jews observed Saturday or the Christians Sunday. The first Sunday closing law was enacted by Constantine in 321 CE, and refers to the "day of the sun", and forms the basis of subsequent Christian legislation in this area.
Sol Invictus and Christianity
Bibliography
External Links