Tauroctony relief from Micia

TNMM 2424 ↔ CIMRM 2018

The l. part of a relief in limestone (H. 1.00 Br. 0.74–0.87 D. 0.11) from Mintia (Maros Németi = Vețel). Cluj, Museum.

MMM II No. 187 and fig. 163. See fig. 527.

In the centre of the relief Mithras kills the bull, which wears a belt and whose tail ends in three corn-ears. The hindmost part of the scene is preserved; the scorpion, part of the serpent and the raven on the grotto's border. Cautopates (l) in Oriental dress and cross-legged; in each hand he holds a burning torch downwards. Beside him are two scenes:

1) Mithras riding the bull.

2) Mithras taurophorus.

In the arched border:

3) The dressed bust of Sol.

4) A globe behind the raven.

5) Mithras sitting on a rock is shooting at a rock before which a kneeling person. He holds his hands at his mouth in order to drink the water. Behind the god a person in flying cloak grasps Mithras by the shoulders with outstretched hands.

In the lower part of the relief from l. to r.:

6) In a grotto standing Mithras puts an object (piece of meat) on the head of Sol who kneels before him. Sol holds his hands before his mouth. He is only dressed in a shoulder-cape.

7) In a grotto Mithras reclines and Sol sits behind a small table with viands.

8) Mithras with outstretched hands walking to the r. He probably holds a dagger in his r.h. The chariot of Sol is lost.