Tauroctony relief from Nagy-Kovácsi

TNMM 2357 ↔ CIMRM 1740

Marble relief (H. 0.21 Br. 0.13–0.15). Found at Alcsút (distr. Fejér) near Bicske in 1862. Budapest, National Museum.

Cumont in AErt 1893, 295; MMM II 322 No. 214 and fig. 188. See fig. 451.

The arched relief is divided into three parts. In the centre Mithras as a bullkiller with the raven on the flying cloak. The dog, the serpent and the scorpion. Above Cautopates (l) the bust of Sol, above Cautes (r) the bust of Luna. Both torchbearers are cross-legged. Next to Luna a representation of Mithras' rockbirth. In the lower part are three scenes separated from each other by vertical rims:

1) In a grotto Mithras lays his hands on the head of Sol who kneels before him and who stretches his hands out to him.

2) Mithras and Sol at the repast.

3) Mithras ascends Sol's chariot which is drawn by one horse.

In the upper part from l. to r.:

4) Bull in a small house.

5) Mithras sitting on a rocky stone shoots at a rock before which a person kneels down with outstretched hands.

6) Bull in a small boat.

7) Standing person leaning on a stick; at his feet lies a he-goat.