Votive plaque of Stockstadt

TNMM 399 ↔ CIMRM 1206 & 1207

Small silver plate (H. 0.13 Br. 0.10 D. 0.001). Museum Saalburg. According to Wirth it was found ’beim Aufbrechen des Sockels für das Kultbild zwischen den Steinen steckend.’

An aedicola with two columns decorated with spiral shafts and leaf capitals. It has a triangular pediment, stylized akroteria and roof tiles. Under an arch the representation of Mithras as a bullkiIler in the usual dress and attitude. The god looks at the raven sitting upon his flying cloak. The bull’s tail seems to end in two corn-ears. The dog and tbe scorpion. Underneath the bull is a standing amphora with a serpent (l) and a lion (r). On a base standing Cautes with upraised torch and cross-legged (l); of Cautopates (r) only the crossed legs are preserved.

Around Mithras there were seven stars within an arch, six of which are still preserved. In the pediment is a representation of Mithras’ rockbirth; he holds a torch in his upraised l.h.; his other hand with the knife is lost.

In the l. upper corner the bust of Sol in radiate crown; the bust of Luna is lost. Also the upper part of the r. column, of Cautes and part of the pediment. Traces of gilding are visible on the bull’s head, in the folds of Mithras’ cloak, on the head of Mithras being born from the rock, and above the amphora.

Many traces of fire. In the lower border an inscription:

CIMRM 1207

CIL XIII, 11786.

[D(eo)] i(nvicto) M(ithrae) et S(oli) s(ocio) Argata / v(otum) s(olvit) l(ibens) l(aetus) m(erito).

Domaszewsky reads: s(ocius) s(uis). For socius see index s.v.