[379]. These mythological equations follow absolutely the rule of dreams, where the dreamer can be resolved into many analogous forms.
[380]. “He must grow, but I must waste away.”—John iii: 30.
[381]. Cumont: “Textes et Monuments,” p. 172.
[382]. The parallel between Hercules and Mithra may be drawn even more closely. Like Hercules, Mithra is an excellent archer. Judging from certain monuments, not only the youthful Hercules appears to be threatened by a snake, but also Mithra as a youth. The meaning of the ἄθλος of Hercules (the work) is the same as the Mithraic mystery of the conquering and sacrifice of the bull.
[383]. These three scenes are represented in a row on the Klagenfurt monument. Thus the dramatic connection of these must be surmised (Cumont: “Myst. des Mithras”).
[384]. Also the triple crown.
[385]. The Christian sequence is John—Christ, Peter—Pope.
[386]. The immortality of Moses is proven by the parallel situation with Elias in the transfiguration.
[387]. See Frobenius: “Das Zeitalter des Sonnengottes.”
[388]. Therefore the fish is the symbol of the “Son of God”; at the same time the fish is also the symbol of the approaching world-cycle.