Tauroctony relief from Radeša

TNMM 2477 ↔ CIMRM 2243

White marble relief (H. 0.145 Br. 0.385) found in the village of Radeša near Pirot (Turres). Belgrado, Archaeological Museum.

Vulić in Spomenik SKA LXXVII, 60, 1934, 71 No. 7; Grbić in RA (S. 6) X, 1937, 176f and fig. 2; LeRoy Campbell in Berytus XI 1954, 50 No. 272. See fig. 619.

In an arched grotto the representation of Mithras as a bullkiller with dog and serpent. No scorpion. The l. part of the relief is lost (raven, Sol, Cautopates). Before the bull Cautes in Oriental dress with an indistinct object in his upraised r.h. Above him Mithras is being born from the rock. In his uplifted hands he holds a torch and a knife. Small bust of Luna in crescent between the heads of Mithras tauroctone and of Mithras petrogenes.

Underneath the main scene from l. to r.:

1) Mithras puts his hand on the head of kneeling Sol.

2) Vase and amphora.

3) Mithras and Sol at the repast.

4) Sol in biga helps Mithras to ascend.