Tauroctony from Palermo

TNMM 150 ↔ CIMRM 164

Frame-work relief in white marble (H. 0.67 Br. 0.73 D. 0.15). The assumed find-place Panormus is uncertain, as the relief (as well as No. 165) was part of the ColI. Astuto di Noto, which has been stored partly in Sicilia, partly at Rome. Palermo, Mus. Nazionale (Inv. No. 751).

In the middle Mithras killing the bull with averted face. The dog licks the blood; the scorpion at the genitalia; the snake creeping over the ground. Remarkable is the lion's head, represented in front of the snake's head. On either side a torch-bearer, one of which is cross-legged. Torches, which they held in their l.h., lost; restored their r. arms; yet the sword of Cautopates seems to be genuine. On the surrounding cave entrance the heads of Sol and Luna; between them the raven. Restorations: Mithras' dagger and the head of Cautes.

CIMRM II 164

Visiting the National Museum at Palermo I observed seven holes in Sol's hair. There are traces of red colour on Sol's head and on Cautes' clothes. Other restorations: the foremost part of the bull's head; part of Mithras' r. arm; the r. arm and hand of Cautopates.