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Monumentum

Phallus relief from the Mithraeum of Tiddis

The phallus from Tiddis, Algeria, has been represented as a cock.
Phallus cock from Tiddis Mithraeum.
Phallus cock from Tiddis Mithraeum.James Patterson
 
The New Mithraeum
21 May 2021
Updated on May 2026

TNMM 270

[A] phallos was found [at the Mithraeum of Tiddis], represented on a piece of rock in the form of parallelepiped (H. 0.49). But this phallos has been represented in such way, that it bears a great resemblance to a cock: ’il est en effet dressé sur pattes munies d’ergots’. Besides, a bull’s head has been found above which an infula, hewn out in stone (H. 0.77 Br. 0.51 D. 0.46).

References

Comments

Dominique PERSOONS
the Romans were very superstitious. they feared the 'evil eye', the jealousy of other people. We find this in Muslim countries with the hand of Fatima, the middle finger protects from the evil eye. The middle finger is the phallic finger (expression 'fuck of... this expression comes directly from the Romans). The Phallus protected from the evil eye. Also the snake, the scorpion, the raven but also the fork, the snail, the cat etc.. as we can see on the mosaic of Antioch 'KAI SU'. Of course, this a particular meaning to the dog and the snake under the bull of Mithras...
Jorge Gallo
If this phallus really belonged to the mithraeum where it is currently placed and not elsewhere, they must have had some fun in this temple.
Dominique PERSOONS
No, I think it's not fun, but really superstition. The Romans all wore amulets, often with a phallus and a hand, even children wore them.
In the mithraeum there could be talismans
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Related monuments

Mithraeum of Tiddis

The Mithraeum was housed in a cave. The vault is almost dome-shaped and in front of the cave there is enough space for a possible adjacent temple.

Second phallus relief from the Mithraeum of Tiddis

This second relief depicting a phallus from Tiddis, Algeria, has been positioned alongside its counterpart atop pillars that greet visitors to the Mithras shrine.

Cultores Inscription from Tiddis

Inscription recording the dedication of a mithraeum at Tiddis by a group of cultores who built the sanctuary at their own expense.

Second phallus relief from the Mithraeum of Tiddis

This second relief depicting a phallus from Tiddis, Algeria, has been positioned alongside its counterpart atop pillars that greet visitors to the Mithras shrine.

 
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