Two-register tauroctony from Ratiaria

TNMM 2460 ↔ CIMRM 2225

Fragment of a marble slab (H. 0.655 Br. 0.74 D. 0.18) found at Ratiaria in 1936. Windin, Museum.

The relief is divided into two parts. In the upper part Mithras as a bullkiller of whose body only the legs and part of his tunic and of his dagger are preserved. Under the bull with a belt, the creeping serpent. Cautes is lost. Cautopates has a torch in his r.h. and has a pedum which partly is only visible; the head is lost.

In the lower part there are four scenes each in an arch of its own:

1) Standing person in Oriental dress, but with naked breast holds an indistinct object in each hand.

2) In a grotto Mithras bends down to Sol who is kneeling before him. Indistinct.

3) Mithras and Sol at the sacred repast.

4) Sol helps Mithras ascending the chariot. The horses are lost.