Tauroctony from Euhemerus from Alba Iulia

TNMM 663 ↔ CIMRM 1975 & 1976

White marble relief (H. 0.33 Br. 0.22) found in the ruins of Apulum (= Alba Julia = Gyula Fehervar = Karlsburg). Formerly in the Bathyani Library, now Muzeul Regional. Inv. No. 209/1.

In the centre Mithras (traces of red colour) as a bullkiller with the dog and the serpent. The raven and the scorpion are not visible. The torchbearers are not cross-legged. Cautopates (l) holds the torch downwards and possibly touches the bull's tail; Cautes (r) holds a bow in the l.h. and raises up the torch with his r.h. Beside Mithras' head are the busts of Sol (l) and of Luna (r).

In the upper part of the relief other scenes are represented from l. to r.:

1) A person walks towards Mithras who sits on a rocky stone and who shoots a bow.
2) Small moon-like boat of the bull and underneath it a damaged representation of the bull's house.
3) Belongs to l. Person kneeling in front of a rock.
4) Mithras with upraised hands being born from the rock.

In the lower part of the relief from l. to r. :

5) Sol is kneeling before Mithras in a grotto. Mithras holds in the upraised r.h. an indistinct object.
6) Mithras and Sol at the repast in a grotto.
7) Mithras and Sol in a chariot.
8) Reclining figure above waving water (Oceanus).

In the arched upper border and in the bottom border runs an inscription:

CIMRM 1976

L.H. 0.01.

Deo invicto Mithre / Suaemedus ex voto / posuit.