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Monumentum

Mithraeum at Biljanovac

Mithraic sanctuary found at Biljanovac north-east of Kumanovo, Moesia Superior, with a pronaos and inner sanctuary, yielding marble reliefs, an altar, and associated cult objects.
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The New Mithraeum
27 May 2026

TNMM 2058 ↔ CIMRM 2201

A Mithraeum found in the village of Biljanovac (Derven) north east of Kumanovo.

From a pronaos (L. 2.50) one enters the sanctuary proper (L. 7.50 Br. 5.40) by means of steps which are enclosed by small walls. At some distance behind the entrance there are other steps in order to descend into the central aisle (Br. 3.20). On either side of it are the side-benches (L. 5.30 Br. 1.10). The cult niche is constructed into the back-wall as an addition (Br. 1.50). In the sanctuary a brick fire place was found. It was full of ashes. Two coins, one from the time of Trajanus Decius and one from the time of Trebonianus Gallus, were discovered.

References

Kokić in BSSS XII, 1933, 1ff and plan; Vulić in RA (S. 6) I, 1933, 181ff and plan; Bulic in Spomenik LXXVII, 60, 1934, 64ff and plan. See fig. 607.

Related monuments

Tauroctony relief from Biljanovac

White marble tauroctony relief in several fragments from the Mithraeum at Biljanovac, Moesia Superior, depicting the standard bull-slaying with the full iconographic programme.

Mithras bust fragment from Biljanovac

White limestone fragment from the Mithraeum at Biljanovac, Moesia Superior, preserving the upper part of Mithras as bull-slayer in a sleeveless tunic.

Tauroctony relief from Biljanovac

White marble tauroctony relief from the Mithraeum at Biljanovac, Moesia Superior, depicting the standard bull-slaying with torchbearers and Sol and Luna busts in the upper corners.

Altar with Naturae or Transitu from Biljanovac

Marble altar from the Mithraeum at Biljanovac, Moesia Superior, with its shaft hollowed out at the sides; the inscription is fragmentary and the dedicatee — either Natura or Transitus — cannot be determined.

 
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