Page:Outlines of European History.djvu/356

 298 Outlines of European History Isis and Osiris were not without oriental competitors, for the Great Mother goddess of Asia Minor, with her consort Attis, gained the devotion of many Romans also. In the army the Persian god Mithras (p. 100), a god of light, who slew his Fig. 129. Interior of the House of a Wealthy Roman CiTizEx IX Pompeii The walls of the houses in Pompeii (Fig. 128) are now often found pre- served up to the tops of the doors, or even sometimes to the ceiling. These walls still bear their beautiful decorative paintings, while the floors are paved with many-colored marble blocks of splendid mosaics like P'ig. 99. Sumptuous rugs and hangings also enriched walls and floors. Statues from Greece (p. 2S4 ; cut, p. 214), and many bronze lamps, tripods, and candelabra (see rear of first room) for lighting and heat- ing adorned the rooms and halls. Immense wealth was expended on luxury in such fittings. Cicero, not a man of great wealth, is reported to have spent over fifty thousand dollars for a single table enemy the bull, was a great favorite, and many a legion had its underground chapel where its members celebrated his triumph. All these faiths had their " mysteries," consisting chiefly of dramatic presentations of the career of the god. In the Eg'p- tian religion and that of the Great Mother, his submission to death, his triumph over it, and ascent to everlasting life made