Monumentum
Tauroctony of Absalmos
The relief depict several unusual scenes from Mithras's myth.
PublishedThe New Mithraeum
15 Jun 2009
Updated on 23 Oct 2022
Tauractony with several mythical scenes at the Israel Museum
Carole Raddato (CC BY-SA 2.0)
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An interesting new Mithraic relief, with several unique features, formerly the property of Mr. Samuel Merrin, was presented to the Israel Museum in Jerusalem in 1997 by its American Friends (inv. no. 97.95.19). It is a limestone slab, measuring 65.7 x 49 x 9.5 cm, divided into a central ‘cave’, containing the main scene and four others, with panels on either side.
The central scene shows a conventional Mithras, in Parthian-style clothes, and wearing boots, killing the bull. On his belt hang two sheaths containing daggers or swords, and he holds a third in his right hand.
The central scene shows a conventional Mithras, in Parthian-style clothes, and wearing boots, killing the bull. On his belt hang two sheaths containing daggers or swords, and he holds a third in his right hand.