A deity born from a rock and often shown sacrificing a bull. The source may be ancient Persia. He is associated with the Sun and there are stories about him that are mirrored in the later stories of the birth and life of Jesus. The worship of Mithras became popular among Roman soldiers. Little is know of this mystery religion other than that initiates stood under a grate and a bull was sacrificed above, allowing the initate to be showered in blood.