Tauroctony relief from Sucidava

TNMM 2447 ↔ CIMRM 2182

Marble relief (H. 0.275 Br. 0.212 D. 0.040) of which the l. bottom corner is lost. Found in the ruins next to tower C of the Roman Camp at Sucidava (Celei in dep. Romanați).

D. Tudor in Dacia XI–XII, 1945–1947, 158 No. 8 and fig. 14. See fig. 595.

The vaulted relief has the usual representation of Mithras as a bullkiller. The grotto's border was decorated with seven altars of which only three are preserved above the raven. The serpent and the dog, no scorpion; Cautes (r) holds the torch in his r.h. and he holds his l.h. (with an object?) against his breast. Cautopates (l) with the torch downwards; behind him a lion's head. In the corners the busts of Sol (l) and of Luna (r). Next to Luna: Mithras' rockbirth.

Under the main scene:

1) Mithras and Sol at the repast in a grotto.

2) Mithras ascending Sol's car.

The relief is badly damaged by fire.