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Monumentum

Mithraeum I of Ptuj

The Mithraeum I of Ptuj contains the foundation, altars, reliefs and cult imagery found in it.
 
The New Mithraeum
25 Apr 2010
Updated on Nov 2023
In Ptuj, in Spodnja Hajdina (formerly Pettau, Unter Haidin) on the right bank of the Drave (Drau) Mithraeum I was discovered by W. Gurlitt in 1898-1899.

I am greatly obliged to the Director of the Archaeological Museum in Ptuj, Mr. Dr Fr. Gumilar and to the Keeper Miss Bernardina Perc for the great hospitality they offered me. They gave me an opportunity to study all the Mithraic monuments and to take photographs of them. In this way I have been enabled to publish many hitherto unknown monuments as well.

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The entrance to the sanctuary is situated on the east side. Behind a vestibulum (L…

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Related monuments

Mithras rock-born from Ptuj

The sculpture includes a serpent climbing the rock from which Mithras is born.

Consecration for Jupiter and Hercules

This marble relief was found in a Mithraeum in Ptuj.

Mithras taurophorus of Ptuj

The sculpture of Mithras carrying the bull includes an inscription on its base.

Altar with inscription and symbolic figures from Ptuj

This altar from Ptuj, present-day Poetovio, is decorated with various Mithraic animals such as a tortoise, a cock and a crow and other objects.

 

Altar of Festus from Mithraeum I, Ptuj

Marble altar with akroteria from Mithraeum I at Ptuj, ancient Poetovio, dedicated to Invicto Mithrae by Festus, vicarius of Primus, vilicus of the publicum portorium.

Altar with Sol bust from Mithraeum I, Ptuj

White marble base from Mithraeum I at Ptuj, ancient Poetovio, bearing a dressed bust of Sol on the left lateral face and an inscription recording a dedication related to the Mithraic transit ritual.

Altar of Felix to Petra Genetrix from Mithraeum I, Ptuj

Inscription from Mithraeum I at Ptuj, ancient Poetovio, dedicated to Petrae genetrici ex viso by Felix, vicarius of Prudens, slave of Antonius Rufus, vilicus of the publicum portorium Illyricum — one of several Mithraic dedications by this household.

Altar of Optimus Vitalis from Mithraeum I, Ptuj

Altar from Mithraeum I at Ptuj, ancient Poetovio, dedicated to Deo invicto Mithrae by Optimus Vitalis, vicarius of Sabinus Veranus, vilicus of the publicum portorium.

 

Altar with Cautes bust from Mithraeum I, Ptuj

White marble votive altar from Mithraeum I at Ptuj, ancient Poetovio, distinguished by a dressed bust of Cautes emerging from foliage below the inscription — an unusual iconographic feature for an altar.

Altar of Venulus to Cautes from Mithraeum I, Ptuj

Inscription from Mithraeum I at Ptuj, ancient Poetovio, dedicated to Cautes sacrum by Venulus, slave of Aponius Ingenuus.

Cautes statue base from Mithraeum I, Ptuj

White marble base from Mithraeum I at Ptuj, ancient Poetovio, with an inscription and the preserved foot and lower garment of a Cautes statue.

Cautopates statue base from Mithraeum I, Ptuj

White marble base from Mithraeum I at Ptuj, ancient Poetovio, with an inscription and the preserved legs, garment, and torch of a Cautopates statue.

 

Altar of Cautopates from Mithraeum I, Ptuj

White marble altar from Mithraeum I at Ptuj, ancient Poetovio, decorated with a bust of Cautopates, two ram heads flanking a palm, and lateral representations of Mithras’ rock-birth.

Mithraeum III of Ptuj

Mithraeum III in Ptuj was built in two periods: the original walls were made of pebbles, while the extension of a later period was made of brick.

Mithraeum II of Ptuj

Mithraeum II was found at Ptuj at a distance of 20 m south of the Mithraeum I in 1901.

Mithraeum V of Ptuj

Part of the finds from the fifth Mithraeum of Ptuj is kept in the Hotel Mitra in the modern city.

 
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