Tauroctony from the Mithräum von Heddernheim

TNMM 198 ↔ CIMRM 1083

Relief in sandstone (H. 1.80 Br. 1.76 D. 0.22). Inv. No. 239.

The relief is sculpted on two sides and it is revolving because it has a pivot at the top and a socket at the bottom.

A

The front has the usual scene of Mithras as the bullkiller in a grotto. The bull’s tail ends in three corn-ears. The raven sits on the god’s flying cloak; the dog with a collar leaps up against the bull and the scorpion grasps its genitals. Underneath the bull is an amphora or krater with two handles with a serpent coiling against it. To its right is a lion with menacing head. Cautes (r) with uplifted torch and Cautopates (l) with torch downwards and cross-legged. Behind Cautes a tree surrounded by a serpent with its head stretched out towards Mithras.

In the grotto’s border are the signs of the zodiac beginning with the ram (l) and ending with the fishes (r). Between this border and the horizontal rim other scenes are represented:

On the left side Mithras shooting an arrow in the direction of a rock before which a figure with outstretched hands is kneeling.

On the right side a similar scene, but the person before the rock is kneeling on only one knee.

Above the horizontal rim there are the following representations from l. to r.:

1) Mithras in a cypress. He is in Phyrgian cap and only the upper part of his body in tunic and cloak visible.
2) Tree.
3) Mithras carrying the bull. Underneath the bull’s snout a coiling serpent.
4) Tree.
5) Sol standing frontally in long shoulder-cape. He holds a globus in his l.h. and is in radiate crown. Mithras approaches Sol with outstretched r.h.
6) Tree.

Naked Sol kneeling on one knee before standing Mithras with outstretched r.h. Sol has a radiate crown over his head; the body of Mithras is restored, but the head in Phryrigan cap is original.

8) Over the scenes between two cypresses Mithras ascends a biga of standing Sol dessed in a tunic. Sol holds out his r.h. to Mithras. The horses and the rocky background are restored.
9) Luna in velum lying in a descended biga. Under it rocks are visible.
Between the cars of Luna and Sol there is a third cypress.
10) In the four corners of the relief the busts of the windgods are represented in medallions. They have wings in their hairs and three of three of them have beards (the god in l. upper corner excepted). Wind issues from the mouth of the god in the r. bottom corner. Above and beneath these gods the busts of the four Seasons are visible:
11) Youthful head (l. upper corner) with folowers in her hair and a wreath of leaves on her shoulders (Spring).
12) Dressed bust (r. upper corner) of Summer with a ribbon in her hair.
13) Bust of Autumn (r. bottom corner) with crown of corn-ears in her hair and leaves upon her breast.
14) Bust of Winter in velum (l. bottom corner).
Between these busts four other scenes are represented:
15) Naked Jupiter standing in threatening posture standing in a threatening posture before a shapeless figure (probably a Giant). The god holds a lightening [bolt] in his r.h. and an indistinct object in his l.h.
16) God reclining on a rock (Saturnus).
17) Naked Mithras born from the rock; arms not raised; the hands are missing.
18) Naked Mithras in Phrygian cap walking to the right. He gathers branches from a bush, only the lower part of which is visible (restored).

B

The reverse of the relief shows the sacred repast in a grotto. Behind a big lying bull a standing Sol in a dress which is gathered round his waist by a girdle. In his l.h. he holds a long whip and he offers to Mithras a large bunch of grapes. Mithras looks at it and slightly raises his l.h. The Persian god is in a cloak and in a Phrygian cap. In his r.h. a drinking horn. Between the gods a dagger from the top of which hangs a: Phrygian cap surrounded by a crown of seven rays (partially restored). On both sides of the bull is a standing youth in Oriental dress. They present the gods with a basket with fruits or loaves.

Above the grotto in the centre an indistinct standing person (head lost) between four leaping dogs. Above the leftmost dog the hindleg of a horse and next to the upraised l. ann of the person the hindmost part of a leaping animal are visible. Underneath the leftmost dog a lying boar, and behind it a walking animal (dog or bear); underneath the rightmost dog a lying ox.

Restorations: the greater part of the bull, parts of the mantles of Mithras and Sol; the head of the dog or bear; part of the Phrygian cap upon the dagger.

Comments

Ton van Reen

As far as I can find the CIMRM number of this one is: 1083 and not 606.

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