First Tauroctony relief of Dura Europos

Behind the main altar is a small relief (H. 0.42 Br. 0.57 D. 0.10) in white gypsum (see fig. 12, 4 and fig. 14).

The bas-relief shows the usual tauroctone scene of Mithras, who wears Persian clothing (Phrygian cap, flying cloak, tunic, trousers). A dagger sheath is visible at the juncture of the upper garment and the rear guarter of the bull. With his right arm Mithras reaches around the animal's neck and thrusts in the dagger from the front (dagger not visible). From the lower right corner the dog leaps against the bull, holding its nose close to the wound, indicated by the flow of blood,
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