Prehistoric axe with Mithraic associations from Argolis

TNMM 2554 ↔ CIMRM 2353

Black polished stone (H. 0.07–0.075 Br. 0.04), cone-shaped, originally a praehistoric axe, found at Argolis. Athens, National Museum. Inv. No. 10082.

In the upper part Mithras as a bullkiller; the raven almost perched on the bull’s forefeet; the dog is represented near the bull’s hindlegs; the serpent creeping towards the wound. The point of a dart is visible on Mithras’ back. The scene is surrounded by an inscription ΒΑΚΑΕΙΣΙΧΥΧΠΑΠΑΦΙΕΡΙC.

In the lower part in the centre a small figure with snakelegs and snakefeet. The snakes lift up their threatening heads. Before him a large bearded person in close-fitting dress (Jupiter). He has a long lance in his r.h. and approaches the Giant menacingly. He holds a sceptre in his l.h. and an ankh; he wears a crown. Behind the Giant a woman in short dress, she has a wreath in her hair. An ankh in her r.h.; in her l.h. a sceptre with an eagle with outstretched wings perched on it.

Βακκεύγγ: Delatte (p. 10) refers to Pap. Br. Mus. where he is invoked together with Zeus-Sarapis, identified with Mithra.