Where does “Mithra” come from?
Mithra derives from Avestan 𐬨𐬌𐬚𐬭𐬀, from Proto-Indo-Iranian mitra and mitrás, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European mey-.
Ancestry of “Mithra”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Avestan | 𐬨𐬌𐬚𐬭𐬀 | contract; agreement; pact |
| 2 | Proto-Iranian | miθráh | — |
| 3 | Proto-Indo-Iranian | mitrás | covenant; treaty; agreement |
| 4 | Proto-Indo-European | mēy- | soft, tender, dear |