Here, if the order in the most complete monuments be followed, we break off to enter upon another set of scenes which illustrate the relations between Mithras and the sun[855]. In what again seems to be the first in order, we see Mithras upright with a person kneeling before him who, from the rayed nimbus round his head, is evidently the god Helios or Sol[856]. In one representation of this scene, Mithras extends his left hand towards this nimbus as if to replace it on the head of its wearer[857] from which it has been displaced in yet another monument[858], while in the other, he displays an object not unlike a Phrygian cap which may, however, be, as M. Cumont suggests, something like a water-skin[859]. Generally, Mithras is represented as holding this object over the bared head of the kneeling Sun-God, as if to crown him with it[860]. Then we find Mithras with the ray-crowned Sun-God upright beside him, while he grasps his hand in token, as it would seem, of alliance or friendship[861]. If we accept the hint afforded by the theory that the rock yielding water on being split by the arrows of Mithras is really a cloud producing the fertilizing rain, we may imagine that we have here the unconquered god removing clouds which obscure the face of the great life-giving luminary and restoring to him the crown of rays which enables him to shed his kindly light upon the earth. The earth would thus be made fit for the creation of man and other animals which, as we shall see, follows; but in any event, the meaning of the scene which shows the alliance is, as M. Cumont has pointed out, not doubtful[862]. In one monument, where Mithras grasps the hand of the person we have identified with the Sun-God before an altar, he at the same time draws his sword, as if to perform the exchange of blood or blood-covenant usual in the East on swearing alliance[863]. Possibly the crowning scene, as M. Cumont also suggests[864], is to be connected with Tertullian’s statement that in the initiation of the Mithraist to the degree of _miles_ or soldier, he was offered at the sword’s point a crown, which he cast away from him saying that Mithras was his crown. If so, it would afford some proof that the initiate here, as in the mysteries of Isis, was made to impersonate the sun, which is on other grounds likely enough.