Talks History
Talks History with Donnie Dodson is a narrative commentary podcast that explores the echoes of the past through the lens of culture, conflict, and connection. Each episode dives into major historical events, overlooked moments, and enduring figures of history, often drawing parallels to the world we live in today.
Hosted by Donnie Dodson of Eats History, this podcast goes beyond just dates and facts, offering a thoughtful and storytelling-driven take on what history meant then and what it might mean now.
Talks History
Christianity's First Rival: The Cult of Mithras - Ep.4
Before the cross, there was the bull and dagger. Before churches rose across Rome, underground temples echoed with chants to a forgotten god. In this episode of Talks History, we dive into the shadowy world of Mithras—the bull-slaying mystery deity who once rivaled Jesus for the soul of the Roman Empire.
Who was this caped god born from stone, worshiped by emperors and legionaries alike? Why did Mithraism flourish across the empire only to vanish without a trace? And what might the world have looked like if his cult, not Christianity, had shaped the Western soul? And why did Christianity ultimately capture the hearts and minds of Western Civilization?
This isn’t just a tale of gods and temples—it’s a battle of ideas: exclusivity vs. inclusivity, strength vs. salvation, ritual vs. revelation.
If you’ve ever wondered how religions rise, fall, and rewrite the course of history, this is the episode you don’t want to miss.