Mystery cults were an important part of life in the ancient Mediterranean world, but their rituals and the meanings behind them – what participants experienced, and how they understood those experiences – were closely guarded secrets. Hugh Bowden explores the major mystery cults of the ancient world, considering the artistic and archaeological evidence to reconstruct the rituals and explore their origins. In doing so, he brings us into the shadowy world of the ancient mystery cults, and shows us what it was like to participate in these life changing ceremonies.