This enigmatic fresco on top of the main tauroctony shows Mithras killing the bull, accompanied by Cautes and Cautopates, surrounded by burning altars and cypress trees.
Thank you, Jaime, for your clarification of this monument, previously identified as Mithraic. I will refer our readers to your comprehensive article and discussion.
AVE , Hello, I'd like to offer you a Platonic interpretation of the Trier Relief. The Sun and Moon show a Platonic dualism, which is added to the zodiac.
The axis of the sun is in line with the axis of Mithras' arm and gaze, and also with the dog below. The axis of the Moon passes through the middle of Mithras' head. This axis passes slightly outside the gate of Cancer, the gate of descent catabasis (the gate of generation). This blue line is that of earthly reincarnation. The axis of the sun crosses the lunar axis on the torso of Mithras. He can therefore distribute souls either along the line of the moon, towards a return to the earth, or upwards, towards solar resurrection.
greetings
This shrine developed towards the end of 2nd century and remained active until beginning 4th.
Vito Quattrocchi
On a tour of Caesarea Maritima, I got the opportunity to step inside the Mithraeum. Our tour guide didn't even point it out but I recognized it for what it was. We lost the tour for fifteen minutes as a result, but it was incredible.
Robert Fritzius
According to Robert J. Bull (February 2011) this Mithraeum has been demolished.
Robert Fritzius
Back in February 2011, I received a report that the Mithraeum at Caesarea had been "torn down." In September 2011, I asked an archaeologist in Israel to check on this. He says that two other archaeologists, currently working in Caesarea, informed him that the Mithraeum had not been torn down but that it "has" been covered up (with sand and gravel). Visitor reports are solicited.
Kathy Carey
I participated in the Combined Caesarea Expeditions for three weeks in 1993. We excavated the hillside next to this Mithraeum and were allowed to go inside on the Summer Solstice to experience this amazing space. What a treat to be able to find a photograph on-line so many years later.
Laura Thomas
Where is the Mithraeum relative to Herod's temple, the amphitheatre or some other isgnificant landmark?
Robert Fritzius
For Laura Thomas.
I installed a Google Earth image of Caesarea Maritima on my website. (URL above) On the image the Mithraeum is represented by a long black rectangle. (The longer of two.)
Souls enter Cancer and follow the cycle of the moon passing in front of the altar. They continue to the right and exit in Sagittarius where they are greeted by a piper. In the South-East, pure souls enter Capricorn and follow the cycle of the sun to exit into Gemini and migrate towards the gods. the mithraeum is oriented upside down, west-east. But with Taurus in the North and Scorpio in the South, the Zodiac is almost in normal position, only shifted by two signs.The figure on the left runs with arms raised towards Gemini. It is a soul in the cycle of resurrection which will ascend to Heaven.
The name of the Mithraeum of the Seven Gates refers to the doors depicted in the mosaic that decorates the floor, symbolising the seven planets through which the souls of the initiates have to pass.
The axis of the sun is in line with the axis of Mithras' arm and gaze, and also with the dog below. The axis of the Moon passes through the middle of Mithras' head. This axis passes slightly outside the gate of Cancer, the gate of descent catabasis (the gate of generation). This blue line is that of earthly reincarnation. The axis of the sun crosses the lunar axis on the torso of Mithras. He can therefore distribute souls either along the line of the moon, towards a return to the earth, or upwards, towards solar resurrection.
greetings