Great tauroctony from Gross-Krotzenburg

TNMM 2158 ↔ CIMRM 1149

Relief in sandstone (H. 2.14 Br. 2.12 D. 0.33) in two fragments. Found near 1 and 2 (See plan).

Wolff, Römerkastell Gr. Kr., 36ff and Pl. I; Kastell Gr. Kr., 29 and Pl. VII, 5; MMM II 352 with fig. 223; Kutsch, Hanau, II, 86 and fig.; Esp. Rec. Germ., 45f No. 65 and fig.; Lübbecke, Hanau, 37. See fig. 302.

Mithras as a bullkiller in a grotto-like niche. The god's head and the l. upper corner of the relief are lost. Mithras in Oriental dress and with boots is riding the bull in an unusual posture, as his r. foot does not touch the ground and because he thrusts the dagger not into the bull's neck but into its back. The dog leaps up against the bull, the scorpion is in the usual place; the serpent is not represented; the raven is lost. Underneath the bull an amphora with a lion in an aggressive attitude. Cautes (r) with torch in upraised r.h. and a stick in his l.h.; Cautopates (l) with the torch downwards. Both are in Oriental dress and cross-legged. The border of the grotto is decorated with the signs of the Zodiac, of which only six have been preserved: Vega-Archer-Scorpion-Capricorn-Aquarius and Fishes.

In the r. upper corner the bust of Luna with crescent upon her head; Sol is lost.