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Monumentum

Mithras rock-birth of Mithraeum III, Ptuj

Cautes and Cautopates attend the birth of Mithras from the rock in the Petrogenia of the third Mithraeum of Ptuj.
Petrogenia del Mitreo III de Ptuj

Petrogenia del Mitreo III de Ptuj 

 
 
The New Mithraeum
23 May 2010
Updated on 12 May 2023
 

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White marble stone (H. 0.74 Br. 0.51 D. 0.26) found near 6. Inv. No. 296.

The stone was given a rocky appearance and is concave at the back. On its front a very remarkable representation of Mithras's rockbirth. Cautes and Cautopates in Oriental dress assist Mithras at his rockbirth pulling him out by the arms. Mithras holds in his uplifted r.h. a knife and in his l.h. a torch. Above this scene a person in long hair and beard is reclining on the rock. The upper part of his body is naked. Beside him is a dagger (Saturnus). A Victoria flies towards him.

Related monuments

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.

Flavius Aper altar (CIMRM 1584)

The altar of Ptuj depicts Mithras and Sol on the front and the water miracle on the right side.

Relief fragment of Ptuj

Several Mithraic scenes, including Mithras with Saturn, Mithras with Sol and Mithras' Ascension, are depicted on this fragment of a relief from Ptuj.

Tauroctony on altar of Ptuj

Remarkable fragmentary sculpture of Mithras slaying the bull on an inscribed altar found in Mithraeum III at Ptuj.