Mitreo delle Pareti Dipinte

TNMM 2 ↔ CIMRM 264

A Mithraeum was constructed in the nord-west corner of the peristylium of a domus (Reg. III, Is. 6 «Mitreo delle pareti dipinte») in the second half of the 2nd cent A.D.

The sanctuary (L. 17.50 Br. 4.00) has a small vestibulum and itself is divided into two parts by a wall, which already existed but was partly removed in order to give room to the usual central-aisle. Both side-benches are sloping to the walls and have small ledges (Br. 0.25) to their front sides.

The podia have on a level with the floor small niches; two of thes (H. 0.35 Br. 0.20 D. 0.30) have marble revetments and are accessible by two steps underneath the partition-wall. The two other niches (H. 0.35 Br. 0.30 D. 0.30), plastered with stucco are about the middle of the inner part of the sanctuary (L. 8.00). Of the central aisle, the floor of which is paved, only the inner part leads to the dais. It was constructed as a throne and has two different levels. The lower (H. 0.90 Br. 0.35) has a depression (H. 0.14 r. 0.35 D. 0.30) whereas the higher has a small niche (H. 0.25 Br. 0.30 D. 0.16) in tits front (L. 1.80 Br. 0.60).

In front of the throne, which is connected with the left side bench, is a marble altar in front of which in the floor is a round basin (diam. 0.30) with a marble lid. On the right side of the altar is an elevation, probably a step. The side-walls and the back-wall have paintings.