Stone tauroctony relief from Rome

TNMM 1123 ↔ CIMRM 615

Low-relief in stone (H. 0.67 Br. 1.10). According to data, given by Paul Hartwig to Franz Cumont in 1901, it was found by a farmer near Rome together with numerous other ancient fragments. Bought in 1905 by the antiquary Triantaphyllos at Paris; at first at Innocenti’s, Via del Babuino, Rome.

Mithras, slaying the bull, whose tail ends in three ears. The god is in Eastern attire and has a sheath at his side. The dog and the serpent with their heads near the abundantly flowing blood. The scorpion on the usual place. On either side a torchbearer, not cross-legged. Lost: the upper part with head, I.h., r. arm with dagger, a piece of the flying cloak of Mithras; the raven; the busts of Sol and Luna; the r. arm and I.h. of Cautopates (l); the head and the l. arm of Cautes (r).