​Franz Cumont, who was Professor at the Faculty of Arts and Philosophy (1892-1910), was a pioneer of the scientific study of the oriental religions. Many of his publications (e.g. The Mysteries of Mithras, 1900) fuelled the early 20th century debates about Christianity’s dependence on the pagan cults through the similarities they suggested between these religious traditions. Cumont expressed his opinion only indirectly and ambiguously, but other scholars have been more explicit in demonstrating or denying such influences. The aim of this conference is to reconstruct, evaluate and contextualize Cumont's views on this much debated topic in early 20th century history of religions, as well as those of his contemporaries.

On Friday 13 September, the first conference day, the presentation will take place of the new edition of F. Cumont's Les Mystères de Mithra - éd. A. Mastrocinque & N. Belayche - (Brepols: Bibliotheca Cumontiana - Scripta Maiora ), the new volume of the Scripta Maiora Series of the Bibliotheca Cumontiana, the international re-edition project of Cumont's selected work.