Tauroctony relief from Virunum

TNMM 1570 ↔ CIMRM 1430

Three fragments in Italian marble. Found at Virunum in the Zollfeld, some miles N-W of Klagenfurt. At first in Castle Tanzenberg, now at Klagenfurt, Landesmuseum 2 (Inv. 19a) and in the Gartenmuseum (Inv. 19b–c). See fig. 366.

Middle-piece: Jabornegg-Altenfels, Kärnten, Pl. CVIII; de Hammer, Mithriaca, 94 No. 16 and Pl. X; MMM II 335f No. 235 and fig. 211; Schober, Röm. Öst., fig. 10. Left side-border: Lajard, Intr., Pl. XCV; MMM, fig. 212; D-S, Dict. Ant. 1951 fig. 5091; Forrer, MH fig. 76; Leclercq, DAC fig. 8203. R. side-border: Lajard, Intr., Pl. XCV; MMM, fig. 313; Forrer, MH, fig. 77; RRR, II, 128, 2; Saxl, Mithras, fig. 187; Schober, Röm. Öst., fig. 11; R. Egger, Führer durch die antiken Sammlung des Landesmuseums in Klagenfurt, Wien 1921, 27ff and figs. 9–10; G. Moro, Führer durch das Parkmuseum, Klagenfurt 1952, 15f; S. Hartwagner, Das Zollfeld, Klagenfurt 1957, Pls. 10–12.

In general the former publications consider the three fragments as belonging to one single relief. But I fail to see how the central part (Inv. 19a) in very high relief could form one whole with the other two pieces in low relief. So I think it more probable that the middle part was attached in a niche (there are remnants of mortar on left and back), whereas the two other side-pieces served as the columns of the niche. The work seems to date back to the end of the second century A.D.

A. The fragment Inv. 19a forms the left upper corner (H. 0.35 Br. 0.69 D. 0.19–0.33) of a large relief of Mithras as a bullkiller. Dressed bust of Sol with a crown of twelve rays looks at Mithras, whose figure is completely lost. The rocks of a grotto with a tree. Before the god the greater part of the raven.

B. Fragment of a marble frame (H. 0.94 Br. max. 0.35) with four scenes of the Mithraic legend (Inv. 19b).

1) Jupiter in beard raises his r.h. with thunderbolt to kill two Giants with snake-feet.

2) A lying god in beard. Only the lower part of his body is wrapped in a mantle (Saturnus; Caelus). In his r.h. a long object (staff?–harpê).

3) Naked Mithras being born from the rock in Phrygian cap, holding a torch (l.h.) and a knife (r.h.). On either side a torchbearer not cross-legged.

4) The upper part of two standing figures, too badly weathered for further details.

C. The right side (H. 1.45 Br. 0.45) of a large marble group, scenes from top to bottom:

1) Five gods sitting on thrones. In the centre Jupiter with sceptre. To his left Juno with long velum and Minerva(?). On Jupiter's right Mars(?) and Mercurius(?).

2) Reclining god in beard with two horns forming a crescent. At his feet a naked woman (Oceanus and a Nereide).

3) Sol in a quadriga and Mithras ascending. Over them a flying god with caduceus (Mercurius).

4) Standing Sol shakes hands with Mithras (iunctio dextrarum). Mithras puts his l.h. upon Sol's l. shoulder.

5) Sol kneeling before Mithras, grasping his l. leg. Mithras seems to be about to hit Sol with a big piece of meat ("Kalbschulter").

6) Standing Mithras in frontal position shoots an arrow towards a rock. A person kneels before it trying to catch the water that pours down.

7) Damaged. Two standing persons in Phrygian caps; one raises a torch, the other has a bow (Cautes and Cautopates).