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Monumentum

Three-register tauroctony from Sarmizegetusa

Ten fragments of a greyish marble tauroctony relief from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, divided into three horizontal registers.
Three-register tauroctony from Sarmizegetusa
Three-register tauroctony from SarmizegetusaCIMRM
 
The New Mithraeum
27 May 2026

TNMM 1903 ↔ CIMRM 2048

Ten fragments of a greyish marble relief (H. 0.73 Br. 0.512 D. 0.025–0.018).

Studniczka, No. 34; Kiraly, 53ff No. 133 and fig. XX; MMM II 297f No. 170. See fig. 540.

The relief is divided into three parts by two horizontal rims. In the centre Mithras as a bullkiller; the god's breast, the flying cloak, the arm with the dagger and the r. leg are preserved. The tail, the horns and parts of the legs of the bull are lost. Traces of the raven on Mithras' cloak, the leaping dog and part of the serpent. Behind the dog a krater above which a lion's head. Only the torso of the l. torchbearer with one arm downwards is preserved. He is placed on a much higher level than usual (the fragment is separate and not visible in the photograph).

Of the upper part of the relief only one representation remained: Sol in a chariot with outstretched r.h. and dressed in a small cape. The foremost part of the horses is lost.

In the lower part from l. to r.:

1) The upper part of standing Mithras who puts a rhyton (?) on the head of Sol kneeling before him.

2) The head and the shoulder of a person and probably a rhyton (Sol and Mithras at the repast). Separate fragment, not visible in fig. 540.

3) Mithras in Oriental dress and with outstretched arms walks to the r. (not visible in fig. 540). Before him the foremost part of four horses (Sol in a quadriga).

4) Sitting bearded god who raises up an indistinct object with his r.h. (Saturnus). Underneath it the head of a serpent which encircles Saturnus' body.

Remnants of an inscription:

References

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Bull and dagger detail from Sarmizegetusa

Small marble fragment from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving small parts of the bull and Mithras's dagger.

Standing figure in tunic from Sarmizegetusa

Marble fragment from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving a standing person in a tunic; head, arms, and legs are lost.

 

Sheath and tunic fragment from Sarmizegetusa

Marble fragment from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving the sheath and part of Mithras's tunic with traces of red colour.

Three mantle fragments from Sarmizegetusa

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Bull's head fragments from Sarmizegetusa

Two marble fragments from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, one preserving the head of the bull and another the bull's ear.

Coiling serpent fragment from Sarmizegetusa

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Dog's hindquarters from Sarmizegetusa

Marble fragment from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving the hindmost part of the dog.

Cautes head and torch top from Sarmizegetusa

Marble fragment from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving the head of Cautes in Phrygian cap and part of his torch.

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