Mitra

Mitra (Proto-Indo-Iranian: *mitrás) is the name of an Indo-Iranian divinity that predates the Rigvedic Mitrá and Avestan Mithra.

The names, and some characteristics, of these established deities subsequently influenced other figures:

• Buddhist
  tradition.
• Latin
  Mithras, the principal figure of the first-century Roman mystery cult of Mithraism
  , whose name derives from the Avestan theonym via Greek and some Anatolian intermediate.
• In Hellenistic-era
  Mithras-Hermes-Stilbon
  .
• In Middle Iranian, the Avestan theonym evolved (among other Middle Iranian forms) into Sogdian Miši, Middle Persian and Parthian Mihr, and Bactrian Miuro (/mihru/).^{[citation needed]} Aside from Avestan Mithra, these derivative names were also used for Greco-Bactrian Mithro, Miiro, Mioro, and Miuro.
• Mithra, the "first messenger" of Iranian
  Manichaeans.^[a]

The Indo-Iranian reconstruction is attributed[2] to Christian Bartholomae,^[3] and was subsequently refined by A. Meillet (1907), who suggested derivation from the Proto-Indo-European root *mey- "to exchange".

A suggested alternative derivation was *meh "to measure" (Gray 1929). Pokorny (

Meillet's analysis also "rectified earlier interpretations"[2] that suggested that the Indo-Iranian common noun *mitra- had anything to do with the light or the sun. When H. Lommel suggested^[4] that such an association was implied in the Younger Avesta (since the 6th century BCE), that too was conclusively dismissed.^[5] Today, it is certain that "(al)though Miθra is closely associated with the sun in the Avesta, he is not the sun" and "Vedic Mitra is not either."^[2]

Old Persian Miθra or Miθ^ra – both only attested in a handful of 4th-century BCE inscriptions of

Greek/Latin "Mithras," the focal deity of the

In Zoroastrianism, Mithra is a member of the trinity of ahuras, protectors of asha/arta, "truth" or "[that which is] right". Mithra's standard appellation is "of wide pastures" suggesting omnipresence. Mithra is "truth-speaking, ... with a thousand ears, ... with ten thousand eyes, high, with full knowledge, strong, sleepless, and ever awake." (Yasht 10.7). As preserver of covenants, Mithra is also protector and keeper of all aspects of interpersonal relationships, such as friendship and love.

Related to his position as protector of truth, Mithra is a judge (ratu), ensuring that individuals who break promises or are not righteous (artavan) are not admitted to

Mithra in Commagene

There is a deity Mithra mentioned on monuments in Commagene. According to the archaeologist Maarten Vermaseren, 1st century BC evidence from Commagene demonstrates the "reverence paid to Mithras" but does not refer to "the mysteries".^[b][10]

In the colossal statuary erected by King Antiochus I (69–34 BC) at Mount Nemrut, Mithras is shown beardless, wearing a Phrygian cap,^[11][12] and was originally seated on a throne alongside other deities and the king himself.^[13] On the back of the thrones there is an inscription in Greek, which includes the name Apollo-Mithras-Helios in the genitive case (Ἀπόλλωνος Μίθρου Ἡλίου).^[14]

Vermaseren also reports about a Mithras cult in Fayum in the 3rd century BC.^[c][15] R.D. Barnett has argued that the royal seal of King Saussatar of Mitanni from c. 1450 BC depicts a tauroctonous Mithras.^[d][16]

Buddhist Maitreya

Maitreya is sometimes represented seated on a throne, and venerated both in