(Μίθρας/Míthras, Μίθρης/Míthrēs).
I. Persia
A Hittite treaty with the Mitanni (14th cent. BC) contains the earliest evidence of Mithras ([1. No. 16]: Mitra). In the oldest literary evidence, the Indian Ṛg Veda, Mitra is the god who together with Varuna is responsible for upholding the ṛta, the cosmic order. Likewise, in Iran Mi θ ra is one of the most important yazata (gods), who leads people ‘on the path of aša, order’ (Yašt 10,86; [2. 114f.]), and guides a multitude of social relations such as agreements, fri…