ZEITGEIST: THE MOVIE

who had not only taught mankind the use of the vine but had also been a law-giver, promoting the
arts of civilisation, preaching happiness, and encouraging peace. He, like Jesus, had suffered a
violent death, and had descended into hell, but his resurrection and ascension had followed; and
these were commemorated in his sacred rites. 177
Finally, Murdock concludes:
Dionysus‘s death and resurrection were famous in ancient times, so much so that Christian father
Origen (c. 184-c. 254) felt the need to address them in his Contra Celsus (IV, XVI-XVII),
comparing them unfavorably, of course, to those of Christ. By Origen‘s time, these Dionysian
mysteries had already been celebrated for centuries. Dionysus/Bacchus‘s resurrection or revival
after having been torn to pieces or otherwise killed earned him the epithet of ―twice born.‖ 178
―[S]cene in the underworld. Dionysos
mounting a chariot is about to leave his
mother, Semele, and ascend‖
(Kerenyi, pl. 47)
As a related aside, it is interesting to point out that the Catholic Communion as practiced today in the
Christian world also had a place within the cult of Dionysus, as Campbell points out:
Dionysus-Bacchus-Zagreus—or, in the older, Sumero-Babylonian myths, Dumuzi-absu,
Tammuz—...whose blood, in this chalice to be drunk, is the pagan prototype of the wine of the
sacrifice of the Mass, which is transubstantiated by the words of consecration into the blood of
the Son of the Virgin. 179
22. Mithra of Persia, born of a virgin on December 25 th , he had 12 disciples and
performed miracles, and upon his death was buried for three days and thus
resurrected, he was also referred to as “The Truth,” “The Light,” and many others.
Interestingly, the sacred day of worship of Mithra was Sunday.
Carpenter summarizes the myth of Mithra:
Mithra was born in a cave, and on the 25 th December. He was born of a Virgin. He traveled far
and wide as a teacher and illuminator of men. He slew the Bull (symbol of the gross Earth which
the sunlight fructifies). His great festivals were the winter solstice and the Spring equinox
(Christmas and Easter). He had twelve companions or disciples (the twelve months). He was
buried in a tomb, from which however he rose again; and his resurrection was celebrated yearly
with great rejoicings. He was called Savior and Mediator, and sometimes figured as a Lamb; and
sacramental feasts in remembrance of him were held by his followers. This legend is apparently
177 Weigall, 220.
178 Murdock, RZC, 19.
179 Campbell, MG, vol. 4, p. 23.