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Monumentum

Relief of Tauroctony from Sidon

The relief of the Sidon Tauroctony includes the signs of the zodiac and the four seasons, among other common elements.
Relieve de la Tauroctonia de Sidón, Líbano

Relieve de la Tauroctonia de Sidón, Líbano
Galdo Trounchky 

 
 
The New Mithraeum
18 Jun 2009
Updated on 23 Aug 2022
 

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Mithras puts his r. foot victoriously on the hind-leg of the bull and thrusts the dagger into its heart. The god is represented in Eastern attire: a short chiton with a tight-fitting string around the chest, a flying cloak adorned with stars, high boots and a Phrygian cap with a star on the point. Dog and snake want to lick the abundantly flowing blood; the scorpion clasps the testicles. The latter, however, belongs at the same time to the signs of the zodiac, which has been depicted round the scene.

Related monuments

Mithraeum of Sidon

The Mithraeum of Sidon escaped destruction because the followers of Mithras walled off the entrance to the underground sanctuary.

Taurcotony sculpture from Sidon

The Mithras killing the bull sculpture from Sidon, currently Lebanon.

Lion-headed Aion from Sidon

Edmon Durighello, a journalist, discovered this Aion marble in 1887.

Mithras carrying the bull

Sculpture depicting Mithras carrying a young bull on his shoulders.

 

Cautes of Sidon

The Sidon sculpture includes a dog jumping between Cautes's legs.

Cautopates of Sidon

Cautopates sculpture of Sidon features a snake near his left leg.

Cautes with an axe

The Cautes of Sidon who wields an axe also wears a piece of cloth on his left arm.

Second Cautes of Sidon holding an axe

In this case, a quiver has been attached to the tree-stump behind the torchbearer.

 

Hekate of Sidon

The Hekataion of Sidon shows a triple Hekate surrounded by three dancing nymphs.

Bronze Venus of Sidon

There are two Venus from the Mithraeum of Sidon, one in bronze and the other in Parian marble.