Plutarch reports that Pompey's army first came into contact with Mithraism during the anti-piracy campaign c 66 BC. This is almost certainly bullshit because the Romans had been extensively involved in Asia Minor since the Battle of Magnesia in 190 BC and heavily involved in commerce with their allied states, Pergamum and Rhodes, and through them to Tarsus and points east and south.
Nonetheless, it is true that Mithraism ( or Sol Invictus ) as it became known was popular among soldiers and merchants primarily. Xtianity shows the same sort of neo-platonist roots which suggests that there was more of a social class division with the upper classes leaning to Mithraism and the lower classes ( then as now!) picking up on xtian drivel.
Nonetheless, it is true that Mithraism ( or Sol Invictus ) as it became known was popular among soldiers and merchants primarily. Xtianity shows the same sort of neo-platonist roots which suggests that there was more of a social class division with the upper classes leaning to Mithraism and the lower classes ( then as now!) picking up on xtian drivel.
