The winter solstice and the Mithraeum at Brocolitia, Carrawburgh

Abstract

Here we discuss the orientation of the Mithraeum at Brocolitia, Carrawburgh, an auxiliary fort on the Hadrian s Wall. As we can see using software giving the sunrise and sunset directions on satellite maps, the orientation of the temple and the direction of the sunrise on winter solstice are in good agreement. It means that, probably, the orientation of the temple was chosen to recall the birth of Mithras on December 25.

Topics

Citations and references