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Monumentum

Fresco with tauroctony and seven cypresses

This enigmatic fresco on top of the main tauroctony shows Mithras killing the bull, accompanied by Cautes and Cautopates, surrounded by burning altars and cypress trees.
Fresco on top of the main altar of Dura Europos.

Fresco on top of the main altar of Dura Europos.
Yale University 

 
The New Mithraeum
22 Jan 2022
Updated on Sep 2023

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The upper part of the outer surface of the arch was occupied by a large composition (fig. 12, 9).

Report, III and Pl. XVIII, 2.

Only a few remnants are still visible. The center was occupied by the representation of Mithras as a bull-killer between the two dadophores. Mithras and Cautopates are not preserved, Cautes wears a radiate crown. The front-legs, the horns, genitals and part of the trunk of the bull are visible. Furthermore the head of the snake and part of a torch, pointing down. ''To the right and left of this scene were represented seven cypress trees and seven burning

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