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Methodology in the Interpretation of Roman Mithraic Imagery
Author(s) -
Sean Brown
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
constellations
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2562-0509
DOI - 10.29173/cons16292
Subject(s) - interpretation (philosophy) , iconography , semiotics , perspective (graphical) , discipline , epistemology , sociology , philosophy , history , archaeology , linguistics , art , social science , visual arts
The nature of a semiotic system is inherently complex. In the course of this paper, we will examine that nature through the application of linguistic anthropological theory. In so-doing, an interpretive methodology will be elucidated with particular attention given to the religious iconography of the Mithraic Mysteries found in imperial Rome. This multi-disciplinary approach to interpretation seeks to combine classical learning with the applied scientific approach of anthropology in the interest of providing a fresh perspective to an old question: “What does it mean?”