Monumentum
Denarius depicting Mithras rock-birth of St. Albans
The mithraic denarius of St. Albans dates from the 2nd century.
The New Mithraeum
14 Aug 2021
Updated on 15 Jan 2022
The full article is reserved for our members.
Log in or create a free account to access the entire site.
Finally one should mention the most interesting adaptation of a denarius of Augustus found at Verulamium (CIMRM 827) (Pl. XXII). The obverse has been entirely obliterated and replaced with the Greek legend MITHRAS OROMASDES in a circle with PHREN in the centre, while the scene of Tarpeia overwhelmed with shields on the reverse has been left (without its legend) as a representation of the rock-birth. Presumably it was the chance similarity of motifs that suggested the adaptation.