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The cult of Mithras in Colchis was widespread from the Hellenistic period onward. This has been borne out by a fragment of a Colchian amphora discovered during excavations at the city-site of Pichvnari, bearing the circular imprint of a seal described in detail here (it depicts a horseman, a six-pointed star, a bird and a sprig). This cult made its way to Colchis from the neighbouring state of the Achaemenids. Its syncretic character enabled it gradually to blend into the cult of the sun, Helios being a widely venerated deity in Colchis. Mithras must have been the precursor of Saint George in pagan Georgia.

Goatskins filled with laughter. The feast of the god Risus in Apuleius' « Metamorphoses ». In the Metamorphoses Apuleius based the feast of the god Risus on Greek and Roman models, though Risus cannot be completely assimilated with any specific Greek or Roman deity. What is original about this episode, as several specialists have confirmed, is its role in the economy of the narrative. In this essay the author puts forward a new hypothesis for interpretation : at Hypata, the Thessalonian city of magic, Risus was undoubtedly a great god, a "probaskanion" god. Moreover, the goatskin episode, the nucleus of the feast of the god Risus, would appear to originate from a Greek source : in Aristophanes' "Thesmorphorazusae" goatskins are sacrificed for the first time in comic theatre.

The Lukan writings and the events of 70. Dating problems Is Luke later than the fall of Jerusalem (+ 70) ? The prediction of 19, 40-44 and 21, 20-24, being fulfilled, are considered as "Vaticinatio ex eventu". But F. Josephus and intertestamental writings testify that between — 63 and + 70 the idea of a siege of the City was in everybody's mind. The verses of Luke seem ancient. They refer to the events of — 586, not + 70. They are not connected with Mark. The Gospel of Luke is earlier than the "Acts" and the "Acts" are earlier than + 64. Luke could date back to + 60.