ancient secret societies, page 1
Pages: <<  1    2    3    4  >>
ATS Members have flagged this thread 5 times


reply posted on 16-1-2008 @ 01:58 PM by LightinDarkness
reply to post by Skyfloating


I had to write several papers in undergrad on #4 - although that was a few years ago, so new research may have been done since then. But, for what its worth:

The "secret societies" of Rome were almost exclusively religious in nature. I do not think there were any secret societies as we think of them - as close as it comes is the mystery religions. However, these mystery religions had many of the modern day characteristics of a secret society: secret initiation, the claim to hidden knowledge, and occasionally served as a refuge for the most educated and elite.

Interestingly enough, what we know about them is not from some ancient "exposure" or other means, but by finding tiny bits of information about them and their ritual and piecing it together from the ruins of their ancient temples.

Most of the secret societies of Rome were based on a god/man figure that - while his name changed (Mithras comes to mind for Rome) - the ritual initiation almost always involved a multi-day festivity of traveling to the temple in a parade like form, being shown a morality play about the god/man, and being ceremonially reborn. Only the priests, the initiates, and members of the mystery religion were allowed to view this.

And before anyone screams it out, yes, some of these characteristics show up in masonry. But they also show up in every major world religion and civic organizations, as well. I would highly recommend a book called "Western Esotericism and Rituals of Initiation" by Henrik Bogdan for a very academic look at how some of these ancient societies influenced western philosophy and institutions.

[edit on 16-1-2008 by LightinDarkness]


reply posted on 16-1-2008 @ 03:39 PM by AugustusMasonicus
reply to post by LightinDarkness


LinD, I have always been extremly interested in ancient history, specfically Roman, and the mention of the Mystery Religion's initiation rites always piqued my curiosity while purusing my collection of historical reference books.

Do you have any further information, or more detailed descriptions of what they entailed? They are typically glossed over when mentioned in regards the Emperors,or their retinue, becoming members. Perhaps you can shed some light one them? Pun intended.



reply posted on 17-1-2008 @ 05:20 AM by nine-eyed-eel
reply to post by Skyfloating


I'll take #3, any link between ancient Egyptian religion and modern society. The only part I know of with any juice in it would be through Aleister Crowley, while he was very mix-and-match syncretistic, his main quality revelation was couched in terms of the Egyptian pantheon. I've never heard of anybody outside of Crowleyanity praying to Thoth for any reason, for example.



reply posted on 17-1-2008 @ 11:17 AM by Illahee
Originally posted by LightinDarkness
I would have to strongly disagree that anyone in the Bible was in an egyptian mystery school. At the absolute most, the biblical characters may have been _familiar_ with them - as in, heard them talked about. There is no historical evidence that they were actually in one - and I just happen to know that because I read an article about it in a religion journal. The evidence was overwhelmingly against it. I can get you the cite, if you want.

By the way, I absolutely love the positive of tone of the thread - flagged and starred!


Yes, agreed that was far reaching. I was referring to the text in the Lewis book, and he clearly states this based on registration rolls, however it has been a controversy for over a century, since the registrations were never produced. What is odd is that not one member of the church was able to refute what was written. That is however a whole conspiracy in itself and I should not have mentioned it.


I'm pretty sure they state the same sort of thing in Illumination II: The Christian Mysteries, but its been a long time so that would just be guessing.


Another possible lead may be in the Huna works by Max Long. He mentions the Huna tradition linked to the Berber tribesmen through language, but here again fuzzy memory may not be helping out much.

Keep in mind I'm just tossing possible leads out there from memory and one time a long long time ago I could have been wrong.

Yes I like the positive tone too.
Pages: <<  1    2    3    4  >>    ^^TOP^^



Leaked video of freemason-show.
  Posted 6 days ago with 37 member flags
The Templar Uprising
  Posted 18 days ago with 17 member flags
Jay-Z is Nicki Minaj?
  Posted 6 days ago with 11 member flags
The Three Ruffians
  Posted 15 days ago with 5 member flags
32nd level mason
  Posted 4 days ago with 4 member flags
The Hive Mind
  Posted 12 days ago with 2 member flags
A Transparent and Open Secretive Society devoted to Truth
  Posted 7 days ago with 2 member flags