Infinity of time (1)

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The infinity of time was elevated to the dignity of Supreme Cause by the Oriental cults. The Persian Magi regarded Zervan Akarana “Unlimited time” as the first principle. This doctrine, which was developed in Mesopotamia, was adopted by the mysteries of Mithra and passed with them into the West, where this god was represented in the form of a monster with the head of a lion, to indicate that he devours all things. As might have been expected, the worship of Time was there closely combined with that of “the eternal Heaven” (Caelus aeternus), whose revolutions marked its everlasting course, and, as the master of all things, it was sometimes identified with Destiny, whose irresistible activity was exerted to produce the endless motion of the stars. The allegorical figures invented by astrological cults to represent the abstract units of time, came into common use under the Roman Empire. This symbolism was adopted even by Christianity, and up to the Middle Ages these symbols of the fallen gods were reproduced ad infinitum in sculpture, mosaics, and miniatures, and it may be said that the old Chaldean religion still penetrated the art.

Bibliography

Amar Annus

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