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Monumentum

Mithraeum of Sarmizegetusa

The large number of monuments found at the Mithraeum of Sarmizegetusa and the sheer size of the temple are unusual.
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The New Mithraeum
2 Jun 2009
Updated on Nov 2024

TNMM 57 ↔ CIMRM 2027 & 2033

Between 1882 and 1883 PálKirály and his team excavated the only Mithraic sanctuary (mihraeum) known from Colonia Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa. The mithraeum was published in a separate monograph and in various articles, attracting also the interest of the international scholarship – entering in the bibliography, as the „biggest” sanctuary ever found outside Rome.

[…] Without entering in details about the excavation, it is important to mention some particularities of this find. First, the extreme number of the monuments (around 260 artifacts) is so unusual, that it suggest or a later deposition and votive spolia from many different Mithraic sites of the city or a possible workshop – center for reliefs. There are no Mithraic sanctuaries in the Roman Empire with such amount of reliefs found in a same place. Similar deposits we can find in Merida (CIMRM 772), Sidon (CIMRM 74), the Walbrook mithraeum (CIMRM 815) or in Apulum (CIMRM 1953). It is possible that the finds came from multiple mithraea, however, the topography of Sarmizegetusa at the moment doesn’t help us to identify the sanctuaries, even if some scholars suggested the existence of three mithraea in Sarmizegetusa. If they come from one sanctuary, than we need to reconsider the inside geography of a mithraeum. The iconographic typology of the reliefs, the material used suggesting a single provenience and a local workshop. The example of Tienen shows that this kind of sanctuaries based on a collegia‐system were in strict relation with mass production of pottery. Other studies revealed the important role of the commercial and merchant groups and collegia with the Mithraic communities in Ostia or even in Dacia.

The plan of the sanctuary – reconstructed by Király as a monumental, 44,23 m long building – is an exaggerated one, which need to be reinterpreted. He get this unusual size from a very sophisticated equation based on the two monographs available at that time. There are few sanctuaries with similar dimensions in the Empire (CIMRM 1682) which makes sure that his calculation is wrong. However, the international bibliography still use the plan of Király without questioning its authenticity.

CIMRM 2033

A bronze ring; fragments of pottery (a jug and a dish are in complete preservation); a bronze chain with a hook; a bronze knife; a bronze cup and dish; a small terracotta lamp (Kiraly No. 48) with the stamp of FORTIS.

References

Related monuments

Tauroctony relief of Sarmizegetusa

This relief of Mithras slaying the bull incorporates the scene of the god carrying the bull and its birth from a rock.

Petrogeny from Sarmizegetusa

The rock of Mithra's birth in the Petrogenia of Sarmizegetusa is surrounded by a snake.

Cautopates of Sarmizegetusa with scorpion

The Cautopates with scorpion found in 1882 in Sarmizegetusa includes an inscription of a certain slave known as Synethus.

Cautes with bull head of Sarmizegetusa

This sculpture of Cautes holding a bull’s head was found in 1882 in Sarmizegetusa, Romania.

 

Altar from Sarmizegetusa by Hermadio

This altar was erected by Hermadio, who also signed other monuments in Dacia and even in Rome.

Column to Nabarze of Protas

This column found in the Mithraeum of Sarmizegetusa bears an inscription to Nabarze instead of Mithras.

Fragment of a Mithraic tauroctony from Dacia

This marble fragment from Roman Dacia preserves part of a tauroctony with Sol, the raven, and Mithras dragging the bull.

Column of Flavius Trofimus from Sarmizegetusa

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Column of decuriones Victorinus and Maius from Sarmizegetusa

Marble column from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, dedicated ex voto by Marcus Ulpius Victorinus and Maius, decuriones of the Colonia Sarmizegetusa Metropolis.

Altar of Carpion from Sarmizegetusa

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Three-register tauroctony relief from Sarmizegetusa

White marble tauroctony relief in eleven fragments from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, divided into three horizontal registers, the central one depicting the bull-slaying and the others bearing subsidiary Mithraic scenes.

Altar of S. Spedius Valerianus from Sarmizegetusa

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Multi-register relief from Sarmizegetusa

Bluish marble tauroctony relief in fragments from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, divided into horizontal registers with the central bull-slaying and multiple subsidiary Mithraic scenes.

Tauroctony with subsidiary scenes from Sarmizegetusa

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Tauroctony with Mithras breast from Sarmizegetusa

Seven fragments of a marble tauroctony relief from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving Mithras's breast, parts of the bull, and subsidiary scenes.

Inscription of Priscus from Sarmizegetusa

Fragmentary inscription from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving only the name Priscus.

 

Tauroctony lower corner from Sarmizegetusa

Left lower corner of a marble tauroctony relief from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving the crossed legs of Cautopates with the forepart of his torch and a fragmentary inscription in the lower rim.

Fragmentary inscription from Sarmizegetusa

Fragmentary inscription from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving only De- and the name Iulius m-.

Circular tauroctony in laurel wreath from Sarmizegetusa

Two fragments of a circular white marble tauroctony relief from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, enclosed in a laurel wreath.

Tauroctony with belted bull from Sarmizegetusa

Lower part of a white limestone tauroctony relief from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving the bull with a broad belt and the Cautopates area.

 

Multi-scene tauroctony relief from Sarmizegetusa

Seven fragments of a white marble tauroctony relief from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, depicting the central bull-slaying with a rich programme of subsidiary Mithraic scenes.

Inscription of Gaius from Sarmizegetusa

Fragmentary inscription from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving only the name Gaius and a votive formula.

Open-work tauroctony from Sarmizegetusa

Eight fragments of a large white marble open-work tauroctony from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, with the central bull-slaying carved in openwork within a framing border.

Inscription fragment from Sarmizegetusa

Fragmentary inscription from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, dedicated to Soli invicto Mithrae; only the opening formula and closing ex voto are preserved.

 

Three-register tauroctony from Sarmizegetusa

Ten fragments of a greyish marble tauroctony relief from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, divided into three horizontal registers.

Inscription of a coloniae member from Sarmizegetusa

Fragmentary inscription from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, recording a dedication by a member of the colonia, with only the closing formula preserved.

Tauroctony lower corner from Sarmizegetusa

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Tauroctony with dog visible from Sarmizegetusa

Yellowish marble tauroctony fragment from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving the dog without a tail and part of Cautopates.

 

Trapezium-shaped tauroctony from Sarmizegetusa

Trapezium-shaped white marble tauroctony relief from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, with the standard bull-slaying scene in two fragments.

Sol bust from Sarmizegetusa

Fragment of bluish marble from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving the dressed bust of Sol with a diadem and holes for five rays; traces of red colour are preserved.

Bull in boat fragment from Sarmizegetusa

Fragment of greyish marble from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving a bull in a small boat — a rare iconographic detail in Mithraic art.

Multi-fragment tauroctony from Sarmizegetusa

Four fragments of a bluish marble tauroctony from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, with the central bull-slaying partially preserved including the Sol bust and a figure in Phrygian cap.

 

Tauroctony lower corner with Cautopates from Sarmizegetusa

Fragment of a yellowish marble tauroctony from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving the left lower corner with the bull's hind hoof, the crossed legs of Cautopates, and the flame of his downward torch.

Open-work tauroctony fragments from Sarmizegetusa

Fragments of a yellowish marble open-work tauroctony from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia.

Cautopates lower body from Sarmizegetusa

Fragment of a bluish marble tauroctony from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving the lower part of Cautopates with crossed legs, downward torch, and embroidered girdle.

Mithras torso in bullkiller posture from Sarmizegetusa

Two fragments of a bluish marble tauroctony from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving the torso of Mithras in the bull-killing posture.

 

Tauroctony lower right from Sarmizegetusa

Fragment of a bluish marble tauroctony from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving the right lower corner with the bull's knee, the dog, and the lower part of Cautes.

Inscription of -nus from Sarmizegetusa

Fragmentary inscription from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving only the end of a name (-nus) and the abbreviated votive formula.

Mithras's foot and dagger sheath from Sarmizegetusa

Fragment of a bluish marble tauroctony from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving the border of Mithras's tunic, the sheath of the dagger, and his right foot.

Inscription of Terentianus from Sarmizegetusa

Fragmentary inscription from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving only the name Terentianus.

 

Tauroctony lower portion from Sarmizegetusa

Two sandstone tauroctony relief fragments from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving the lower right portion of the bull-slaying scene.

Altar of Cassius Maximus and Marcus Ulpius Gaius from Sarmizegetusa

Inscription from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, dedicated ex voto by Cassius Maximus, augur of the Colonia Sarmizegetusa, and Marcus Ulpius Gaius.

Tauroctony with dog and scorpion from Sarmizegetusa

Bluish marble tauroctony relief from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, depicting Mithras killing the bull with the dog, scorpion, and subsidiary scenes.

Inscription of Aelius Nepos from Sarmizegetusa

Fragmentary inscription from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, recording that Aelius Nepos fulfilled a vow.

 

Tauroctony lower right corner from Sarmizegetusa

Right lower corner of a greyish marble tauroctony from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving the bull's knees and dewlap, the dog, part of the serpent, and the lower part of Cautes.

Multi-fragment tauroctony from Sarmizegetusa

Three fragments of a yellowish marble tauroctony from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, with the left upper corner showing Mithras's flying cloak and parts of the subsidiary scenes.

Sol bust corner from Sarmizegetusa

Left upper corner of a bluish marble tauroctony from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving the bust of Sol with his right shoulder lost.

Primitive tauroctony relief from Sarmizegetusa

Yellowish marble tauroctony in two fragments from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, executed in a primitive style with the bull represented obliquely.

 

Inscription of Aurelius Theofilus from Sarmizegetusa

Fragmentary inscription from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, recording that Aurelius Theofilus fulfilled a vow ex voto.

Lower tauroctony from Sarmizegetusa

Three fragments of a rectangular bluish marble tauroctony from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving the lower and central portions of the bull-slaying with Cautopates.

Inscription of Longus salariarius from Sarmizegetusa

Fragmentary inscription from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, recording that Longus salariarius set up a monument ex voto.

Weathered tauroctony from Sarmizegetusa

Fragment of a white marble tauroctony from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, in the Lugoj collection; the figures of Mithras and the torchbearers are only partially visible on the weathered surface.

 

Tauroctony with Mithras's head from Sarmizegetusa

Three greyish marble tauroctony fragments from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving the head of Mithras and the bull and parts of the subsidiary scenes.

Small rectangular tauroctony from Sarmizegetusa

Two fragments of a rectangular white marble relief from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, in the Lugoj collection, depicting Mithras killing the bull with the raven on the flying cloak.

Mithras torso from Sarmizegetusa

Two greyish marble fragments from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving the torso of Mithras in tunic and cloak killing the bull with his right hand.

Bull's muzzle fragments from Sarmizegetusa

Fragments of a bluish marble tauroctony from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, possibly related to the preceding piece, preserving remnants of a bull.

 

Inscription fragment from Sarmizegetusa

Fragmentary inscription from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, partially illegible.

Round-framed tauroctony from Sarmizegetusa

Five fragments of a whitish-yellow marble tauroctony from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, with the central bull-slaying framed by a round border and the dagger of Mithras clearly visible.

Large tauroctony relief from Sarmizegetusa

Three fragments of a large yellowish marble tauroctony from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, depicting the damaged bull-slaying scene; at approximately 0.94 × 1.31 m one of the larger reliefs from the sanctuary.

Rectangular tauroctony from Sarmizegetusa

Rectangular white marble tauroctony relief from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, depicting Mithras killing the bull with dog, serpent, and scorpion.

 

Bull hindquarter and altar fragment from Sarmizegetusa

Fragment of a white marble tauroctony from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving the hindmost part of the bull to the left and the fragment of a small altar behind it.

Bull's tail and cloak fragment from Sarmizegetusa

Greyish marble fragment from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving the bull's tail and part of Mithras's flying cloak.

Mithras head in Phrygian cap from Sarmizegetusa

Small marble relief fragment from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving the head of Mithras in Phrygian cap.

Bent arm fragment from Sarmizegetusa

Marble fragment from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving part of a bent arm, possibly from a tauroctony scene.

 

Tauroctony with Cautes from Sarmizegetusa

Foremost part of a white marble tauroctony from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, showing the badly weathered bull-slaying with cross-legged Cautes raising the torch with both hands.

Tauroctony with rock-birth above Cautes from Sarmizegetusa

Upper portion of a vaulted marble tauroctony from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, with the bull-slaying and above Cautes a scene of Mithras's rock-birth; Sol and Luna busts appear in the upper corners.

Cross-legged torchbearer from Sarmizegetusa

Fragment of a large marble relief from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving a standing cross-legged torchbearer; head, arms, and legs below the knees are lost.

Lower torchbearer from Sarmizegetusa

Left lower corner of a marble relief from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving the lower part of a cross-legged torchbearer in a short belted and fringed tunic.

 

Bull's head and dagger fragment from Sarmizegetusa

Marble fragment from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving the neck and head of the bull together with Mithras's dagger.

Torchbearer torso with downward torch from Sarmizegetusa

Fragment of a marble relief from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving the bust of a person in a tunic with a right arm and hand holding a torch pointed downward.

Bull and dagger detail from Sarmizegetusa

Small marble fragment from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving small parts of the bull and Mithras's dagger.

Standing figure in tunic from Sarmizegetusa

Marble fragment from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving a standing person in a tunic; head, arms, and legs are lost.

 

Sheath and tunic fragment from Sarmizegetusa

Marble fragment from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving the sheath and part of Mithras's tunic with traces of red colour.

Three mantle fragments from Sarmizegetusa

Three marble fragments of a mantle from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, probably belonging to the flying cloak of Mithras.

Bull's head fragments from Sarmizegetusa

Two marble fragments from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, one preserving the head of the bull and another the bull's ear.

Coiling serpent fragment from Sarmizegetusa

Marble fragment from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving a coiling serpent without its head.

 

Dog's hindquarters from Sarmizegetusa

Marble fragment from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving the hindmost part of the dog.

Cautes head and torch top from Sarmizegetusa

Marble fragment from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving the head of Cautes in Phrygian cap and part of his torch.

Torchbearer mid-body from Sarmizegetusa

Marble fragment from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving the middle part of a torchbearer from the armpit to the knees.

Cautopates with downward torch from Sarmizegetusa

Marble fragment from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving the middle part of Cautopates holding a downward torch in his left hand.

 

Sol and Mithras upper corner from Sarmizegetusa

Fragment of a bluish marble tauroctony from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving the left upper corner with the bust of Sol and beside it the upper part of a person in Phrygian cap — probably Mithras as an archer.

Sol bust with Mithras riding from Sarmizegetusa

Fragment of a yellowish marble relief from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving the left upper corner with the bust of Sol and below it Mithras riding the bull.

Sol with Mithras sitting from Sarmizegetusa

Fragment of a white limestone relief from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving the dressed bust of Sol and beside him a sitting Mithras visible to the knees, with an arch above.

Sol and Phrygian figure from Sarmizegetusa

Fragment of a white limestone relief from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving the bust of Sol and a figure in Phrygian cap raising a right hand.

 

Lion hind leg and serpent from Sarmizegetusa

Three white limestone fragments from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving the hind leg of a lion in a vertical position and a serpent apparently moving towards a rock — possibly a rock-birth scene.

Multi-scene marble relief from Sarmizegetusa

Fragment of a white marble relief from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving in the upper portion several Mithraic scenes including a standing figure, a burning altar, and part of a reclining figure.

Standing Sol and burning altar from Sarmizegetusa

Marble fragment from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving a standing figure in shoulder-cape (possibly Sol) and below it a burning altar.

Oceanus and rock miracle from Sarmizegetusa

Marble fragment from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving the greater part of a reclining Oceanus and above it a rock before which one of Mithras's legs is visible — the water miracle scene.

 

Figure approaching rock from Sarmizegetusa

White marble relief fragment from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, probably belonging to the preceding piece, depicting a man walking to the right stretching his hand towards a rock.

Arched border with Phrygian cap from Sarmizegetusa

White marble relief fragment from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving part of an arched border below which a head in Phrygian cap, possibly Mithras, above a small building.

Phrygian cap top and Sol's head from Sarmizegetusa

Marble fragment from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving the top of Mithras's Phrygian cap and part of Sol's head.

Fine Mithras head from Sarmizegetusa

Marble relief fragment from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving a very fine head of Mithras in Phrygian cap — described by Kiraly as among the best-executed heads from the sanctuary.

 

Mithras head with torchbearer shoulder from Sarmizegetusa

Marble fragment from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving a head of Mithras in Phrygian cap; a small elevation at the side may be the shoulder of a torchbearer.

Bull head and hoof from Sarmizegetusa

Fragment of a bluish marble tauroctony from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving the left part of the head and a hoof and forefoot of the bull — probably from a Mithras-riding-the-bull scene.

Torchbearer hand fragments from Sarmizegetusa

Marble hand and wrist fragments from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, all preserving remnants of torches, belonging to the torchbearer statues of the sanctuary.

Lion's head from Sarmizegetusa

Small marble lion's head from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, seen frontally.

 

Kneeling figure leg from Sarmizegetusa

Marble fragment from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving the lower part of a leg and the left leg of a kneeling figure.

Border fragment with altar from Sarmizegetusa

Marble fragment of a border from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, with the fragment of a small altar visible.

Cautes head and Luna from Sarmizegetusa

Bluish marble fragment from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving the right upper corner with the head of Cautes and his upraised torch, above which the bust of Luna.

Cautes mid-body fragment from Sarmizegetusa

Marble relief fragment from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving Cautes in Oriental dress from the hips to the knees.

 

Cautes with two torches from Sarmizegetusa

Two bluish marble fragments from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving the upper part of Cautes holding a torch in each hand, with traces of red on his neck, dress, and the torches.

Sol's head from Sarmizegetusa

White marble fragment from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving the head of Sol with four attachment holes for rays.

Sol bust with seven rays from Sarmizegetusa

Fragment of a white marble statuette from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving the dressed bust of Sol in a nimbus and seven-rayed crown with traces of red colour; two bolt-holes at the bottom for attachment.

Sitting lion from Sarmizegetusa

Bluish marble fragment from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, preserving a sitting lion with its head slightly turned to the right.

 

Tauroctony relief from Lugoj collection

White marble tauroctony relief from the Mithraeum at Sarmizegetusa, Dacia, now in the Lugoj collection; the right lower corner is broken off and the scene depicts the standard bull-slaying.

 
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