Monumentum
Mercury of Stockstadt
The Stockstadt Mercury carries a purse and a small child around which a snake is coiled.
Mercury of Stockstadt
Jona Lendering
Mercury of Stockstadt (detail)
Jona Lendering
The New Mithraeum
21 Jan 2022
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The wings on his head as well as the purse in his right hand identify the god as Mercury. He wears wings in his role as messenger of the gods and carries the purse as god of trade. With his left hand, he hold a small boy, around whom coils a snake. Perhaps this is Bacchus, the god of wine, who Mercury brought to the Nymphs to raise. A ram stands at the feet of the god.
Many votive inscriptions and statues of Mercury are found in Mithras temples. This is especially common in the Germanic-Gallic regions.
Many votive inscriptions and statues of Mercury are found in Mithras temples. This is especially common in the Germanic-Gallic regions.