An ancient Persian cult whose roots predate the Zoroastrian conversion of the Persian pantheon in the 7th century B.C.E. The cult focused around the sun god Mithra who was worshiped as a savior of men, defender of truth, and provider of light. Mithraism, along with Judaic folklore, was one of the primary roots of the Jesus cult that later developed into Christianity. Circa 70 B.C.E it entered Rome and evolved into Roman Mithraism.