Cautopates de Bordeaux

TNMM 139

Standing torchbearer, cross-legged. He is dressed in a tunic, anaxyrides and cloak, fastened on his r. shoulder.

This limestone statue discovered in 1986 in the Temple of Bordeaux presents Cautopates in the usual style, dressed in oriental fashion like the god Mithra himself, with a Phrygian cap and cape painted in red. Contrary to his colleague Cautes, who, standing with his legs crossed raises his torch and symbolises light, day and renewal, Cautopates has his torch lowered, and represents the counterpoint of dusk, autumn and death. These figures would have framed the scene of the sacrifice of the bull by Mithra (tauroctony).

Comments

Pattie L

This is not CIMRM 893. The Bordeaux mithraeum is post-CIMRM. Here’s CIMRM 893: https://www.tertullian.org/rpearse/mithras/display.php?page=cimrm893

1

The New Mithraeum

You’re absolutely right, Pattie. I’ve made the correction. Thanks for spotting it!