Tauroctony fragment from Novae

TNMM 2021 ↔ CIMRM 2267

Fragment of a marble relief (H. 0.205 Br. 0.23 D. 0.03), found at Steklen near Svichtov. Sofia, National Museum.

Kazarow in BSAB 1911, 57f No. 8 and fig. 8; LeRoy Campbell in Berytus XI, 1954, 50 No. 355. See fig. 630.

The r. part of a representation of Mithras as a bullkiller. The figure of Mithras is damaged and the head of the bull is lost. The dog and the serpent hold their heads near the wound. Before the bull stands a torchbearer holding a pedum at his shoulder with his l.h. The torch is lost (probably Cautes). A column next to him and a square altar on which are two indistinct objects. Above it Mithras' rockbirth may have been represented; the relief was probably arched; the other torchbearer and a second column are lost.

In the bottom border from l. to r.:

1) Standing Mithras, of whom only the upper part of his body is preserved, holds in his upraised hands a two-fold oblong object above the head of kneeling Sol. The scene is set in a grotto.

2) Mithras and Sol in a grotto at the sacred repast. Each holds a rhyton in the upraised r.h.

3) Mithras and Sol in a one-horse chariot. Sol holds the reins in his r.h. and he lifts up his l.h.

4) Reclining Oceanus. Very indistinct.