Chapter XXI. The Foreign Cults: Cybele, Isis,

Mithras. The Christians in Pagan Eyes

370. Saturnalia: the Exchange of Presents on New Year’s Day 437

371. Multiplication of Oriental Cults 437

372. The Cult of the Deified Emperors 439

373. The “Divine Augustus” and His Successors 439

374. The Cult of Cybele, the “Great Mother” 441

375. Cult of Isis and Associated Egyptian Gods 442

376. Ceremonies at an Isis Temple 443

377. Cult of Serapis and of Other Oriental Gods 445

378. The Cult of Mithras: Its Relative Nobility 445

379. The _Taurobolium_ (“Bath in Bull’s Blood”) 447

380. The Christians: Pagan Account of Their Origin 449

381. The Persecution of Christians: Their “Insane Obstinacy” 450

382. Current Charges against the Christians 451