Tauroctony from York

TNMM 246 ↔ CIMRM 835

Relief in white limestone (dolomite) (H. 0.68 Br. 0.60 D. 0.10). Yorkshire Philosophical Society. Found in York 'in digging the foundation of a large house in Mickelgate' (Browning) in 1747.

A weathered representation of Mithras tauroctone in the usual attitude and attire. No animals. On either side a torchbearer. Next to Mithras' head the bust of Sol (l) in radiate crown, and of Luna (r) in crescent.

Under the bullkilling are three other scenes side by side:

1. Standing person lays his hands upon a person, who squats before him and extends his hands towards the former's thighs (Mithras and Sol).
2. Two persons side by side reclining at table on a couch, which, judging by parallel stripes, is covered with a piece of cloth or buIl's hide (Sol and Mithras at the repast).
3. Sol in a chariot, drawn by one horse, helps Mithras ascend.

This pen and ink sketch of a basso relie depicting the Roman god Mithras was drawn by the antiquarian William Stukeley (1687–1765). The relief itself was found 10 foot underground, in Micklegate, York, in 1747.

In a letter accompanying the sketch, Stukeley describes the relief as depicting:

Mithras sacrificing a bull, in the Spring quarter at the suns entrance into ♉ the figures at bottom twisted round with a snake, I take it to be gemini II to that sign, producing the whole variety of natures works, by new generations.

However, Stukeley’s sketch and written description incorporate a great deal more detail than is discernible on the much-eroded original stone artefact. These additional details were probably the product of his extensive knowledge of Roman mythology and religion, as well as his own imagination.

Account of a Bas-relief of Mithras found at York, explain’d by Rev. Dr. Stukely, F.R.S. communicated to the Royal Society, by Mr. Francis Drake of York, Antiquary and F.R.S.

York, October 25, 1749

Read Nov. 23. 1749

As York was undoubtedly the Roman Imperial City of Britain: So is it still, casually throwing up Remains of irs antient Grandeur and Magnificence : Even down to our Time. About two Years ago, in digging the Foundation of a large House, since built, in our Trans Tyberim Street, called Micklegate, quasi Muckle, or Great Street, the Workmen went much below any former Foun­dation that could be observed on this Spot. And at the Depth of ten Feet, came to a Stone, which upon taking up, appeared to have Figures upon it, but miserably defaced. Upon my viewing of it soon after, I confess, I was at a Loss what to make of it ; but judged it some Representation of an Heathen Sacrifice, or Game, and therefore sent as just a Drawing of it, as could be taken, to my very learned Friend Dr. Stukely, who according deep Knowledge in the Learning of the Antients, soon after returned me the following short, but curious Explanation of this uncommon Piece of Sculpture.

«The Drawing you sent me, of the Bas-relief, dug up in a Cellar in Michklegat, anno 1747 is a great Curiosity. This a Sculpture of Mithras, as usual, sacrificing a Bull. He has on, the Persian Mantle, called Candys, and the Phrygian Bonnet, called Tyara. He represents the Archimagus, performing the great annual Sacrifice, at the Spring Equinox: According to the Patriarchal Usage.

These Ceremonies to Mithras, were generally celebrated in a Cave of a Rock; therefore, this Sculpture was found so deep in the Earth. There is, commonly a Figure on each Side of him, habited in the same manner, standing cross-legg’d: The one holds a Torch up, the other down: Here is only the latter, in your Sculpture; the other is imperfect.

Underneath, is the Figure of a Horse, intimating thereby, the Sun’s Course: For in time, when the old patriarchal Customs became profaned and desecrated into Idolatry, they made Mithras to be the Apollo, or the Sun. Whence these Sculptures had a Number of Symbols, relating to the solar Circuit of the Year, thro’ the twelve Zodiacal Constellations.

The two Figures attending on the Archimagus, are inferior Officers to him. There is a Mystery in their standing cross-legg’d, like our Effigies of the Croisaders in Churches, and it means the same thing: For the Cross was on Part of the Mithriac Ceremonies. These two, by the different Attitude of their Torches, represent Day, and Night, as Mithras represents the Sun. The Figure imperfectly drawn, at the Tail of the Horse, is I believe, a Genius, twisted round with a Snake; which means the Vitality, imparted to all Things, by the solar Power, and Circle.

The other Figures are too imperfect, to trouble you with Conjectures about them; but they all regard the same Design. They are officiating Priests, and dress in such a symbolic manner, as intimates the Sun’s Influence, and annual Motion.

The Mithriac Ceremonies, as likewise the Mysteries of the Antients, were but the expiring Remains of the ancient, patriarchal Religion; and Worship of the true God: As it were, swallowed up by Paganism, and the Devil’s Inventions. For indeed the Patriarchal Religion was no other than Christianity antedate.

For in the Mithriac Ceremonies, and Mysteries, they had plainly, the two Christian Sacraments: Initiation and Baptism: And the sublime Communion by Bread, and Wine. Mithras is but another Name of a Messiah, in his priestly Character: It signifies Mediator.

Thus write Tertullian, c. 40. speaking of the Devil perverting the Rites of true Religion: «(He), the Devil persuades those that are initiated into the Mithriac Ceremonies, to believe an Expiation of their Sins by their being baptized: And they are crossed on the Forehead, as his faithful Soldiers. And likewise they there celebrate the breaking of Bread.» But they did not take these Ceremonies from the Christians; they are of a much antienter Date; perhaps from the Beginning of the World.

The Romans became extremely fond of the Mithriac Sacreds, whence here you find this Sculpture in the Imperial City. I saw an Image of Mithras at Chester, and no Doubt there are many more in Britain, either destroy’ed, or undiscover’d.

St. Jerom, in his Epistle to Laeta, writes, A few Years ago, your Cozen Gracchus, a Name of Patrician Quality, when he was Praefect of the City, destroy’d, broke, and burnt the Cave of Mithras.» This was at Rome, and about the Year 378. Not long after, we may well imagine, your Roman Praefect of York followed his Example, and demolished the subterranean Temple in Micklegate; where this Sculpture of him was found.»

WM. Stukeley.

Standford, July 30, 1747.

[We see several figures ia Montfaucon's Antiq. of Mithras, one very like this.]

Comments

Chris Huff

On the York Tauroctony from C. Wellbeloved, Eburacum (1842)

This Mithraic group was found in the year 1747, at the depth of ten feet below the surface, by some workmen, who were engaged in digging a cellar in Micklegate, opposite to St. Martin's Church. Mr. Drake, to whom it was immediately shown, 'being at a loss,' as he candidly confessed, 'what to make of it, but judging it some representation of a heathen sacrifice or game, sent to his friend, Dr. Stukeley, as just a drawing of it as could be taken;' whose explanation of it was afterwards communicated by Mr. Drake to the Philosophical Society, and published in the Transactions of the Society for the years 1743-1750, Vol. X. p. 1311. This curious relic came, whether by gift or purchase the author knows not, into the possession of Mrs. Sandercock, of York, by whom it was bequeathed, with other property, to the late Dr. Robert Cappe, youngest son of the late Rev. Newcome Cappe; and after his death was presented, by the advice of the author, (the Yorkshire Philosophical Society not being then in existence,) to the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral, who placed it in the vestibule of the Minster library.

the Tauroctony stone is now in the Yorkshire Museum..

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