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Monumentum

Ceremonial sword of Riegel

The Mithraic sword found in the Riegel Mithraeum may have been used as a prop during rituals.

Ceremonial sword from Riegen
Badisches Landesmuseum via Tertullian.org

The New Mithraeum

15 Jan 2022

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In the vestibule of the Riegel Mithraeum, an interesting collection of cultic ceramics was found, as well as a sword whose particular shape suggests that it was used during ceremonies: the blade was curved in a semi-circle in the middle of its length; when a man's neck was passed through this curve, the sword could give the impression of piercing the throat.

Related monuments

Mithräum von Riegel

A votive altar referring to the cult of Mithras was found more than forty years before the site was excavated and the Mithraeum discovered.