Altar to Mithras and Mars from Mainz

The New Mithraeum

13 Feb 2022

Updated on May 2026

TNMM 513

A marble altar was found intact with its base and crown during the excavation of a mithraum in Mogontiacum (Mainz) in 1976. It bears a dedication from a military officer, who was responsible for accompanying the legion prefect and for the decoration (corniculum) on his egret, which is addressed to Mithras and Mars, with the permission of the community’s pater named Primulus.

Like Mercury, Mars is present in the cults of Mithras as the tutelary god of a rank, in this case that of the Soldier (miles). He appears in this capacity on historiated reliefs (CIMRM 307) or on the mosaics of certain spelea (CIMRM 241-242, 288).

This altar dedicated to Mithras and Mars by a certain Secundinius Amantius, dates from 151 to 230 AD. It is 91 cm high, 47.5 cm (Br.), 36 cm (deep). The lettering is 3.8-2.5 cm high.

Main inscription

D[eo] I[nvicto] M[ithrae] / et Marti / Secundini/us Amantius / cornicu[larius] / praef[ecti] leg[ionis] / XXII permi/ttente Pri/mulo patre / ex voto pos/uit l[ibens] l[aetus] m[erito].

To the Unconquered Sun God Mithras and Mars. Secundinius Amantius, cornicularius to the prefect of the 22nd Legion, with the permission of Primulus the Pater, dedicates this willingly in fulfilment of a vow.

References

AE 1979, 425.

Bricault; Roy (2021) Les cultes de Mithra dans l'Empire Romain.
P. Herz (1978) Permittente Primulo patre, Journal of Mithraic Studies, II(2), p. 184-188.

Related monuments

Mithräum von Mainz

The Mithraeum of Mainz, was discovered outside the Roman legionary fortress. Unfortunately the site was destroyed without being recorded.

Mithraic vessel of Mainz

The Mithraic vase from Ballplatz in Mainz depicts seven figures arranged in two narrative sequences, commonly interpreted in relation to initiation rites.