Sun, Emperor and Pope: Neoplatonic Solar Worship in Mughal India and Barberini Rome

By Jos Gommans

This book aims to uncover Neoplatonism as an entangled global philosophy that has connected Europe with India for centuries. To demonstrate that argument, it delves into two notable instances ofsolar cults during the long sixteenth century. Both cases are examined through the lens of the longue-dur e Great Tradition of Neoplatonism, taking off from the sun cult designed by the Roman Emperor Julian in the fourth century. The book also includes:

Comprehensive analysis of solar worship traditions across cultures and civilizations Detailed examination of Mughal cosmology and millenarian beliefs in India In-depth study of Barberini solar cult practices in Renaissance Rome Comparative approach to understanding sun worship in different historical contexts Scholarly investigation of the longue dur e of solar religious traditions

By exploring the intriguing parallels between these coinciding solar cults, this book advocates a truly global intellectual history that transcends the conventional boundaries of world religions and civilizations.

This title has been co-published with Manohar Publishers & Distributors. T&F does not sell or distribute the print editions in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Bhutan.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1041281226
• ISBN13: 9781041281221
• Release Date: March 2026
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 126 Pages