Mithraeum at Linz

TNMM 2287 ↔ CIMRM 1414

In Linz in the Tummelplatz a temple-area has been found among which a Mithraeum.

P. Karnitsch in Historisches Jahrbuch der Stadt Linz 1956, 189ff (See plan fig. 361). The finds are at the Linz Museum, and I am indebted to Prof. Karnitsch for the photographs.

For the building of the Mithraeum an already existing construction was made use of. It consists of a pronaos with three successive apartments and another pronaos on the west side. In the sanctuary proper (L. 5.10 Br. 2.70) there are no benches but a small balustrade was made for the monuments (see Nos. 1415–1417).

The floor consists of mortar and is painted red. In the preceding apartment (L. 5.40 Br. 2.70) there is a well (diam. 2.29). In the third apartment (T IV) (L. 6.90 Br. 4.50), which was subdivided by a wall, a small kitchen had been made and remnants of fruit (see No. 1421) were found there. Alongside the first two apartments (T I and T II) runs a prolonged pronaos (T III) (L. 9.45 Br. 2.10).

Coins point to the fact that the sanctuary did not come into existence until A.D. 275 and was used up to the time of Honorius (A.D. 393–423). The Mithraeum probably had a vaulted roof consisting of wicker-work with loam.