Support The New Mithraeum The New Mithraeum is an independent, non-profit project dedicated to Mithraic studies, ancient religions and classical culture. Developed and maintained independently since 2007, the site exists without advertising, paywalls or institutional funding. If you have found value in its articles, interviews, photographs or database, please consider supporting the project with a contribution. Every contribution helps keep The New Mithraeum open, free and alive. Thank you.

Support us →

Monumentum

Tauroctony relief from Villa Borghese

This is one of the three reliefs depicting Mithras killing the bull that the Louvre Museum acquired from the Roman Villa Borghese collection.

The New Mithraeum

24 Oct 2023

Updated on May 2026

White marble relief (H. 1.63 Br. 1.87 D. 0.23-Q.35). At first in Rome, Villa Borghese; nowadays Paris, Louvre, Inv. No. 1024. Probably third century A.D.

Montelatici, Villa Borghese, 165; 181; Zoega, Abh., 148 No. 4; Clarac, Mus. Sculpt., II 307 No. 58 and Pl. 204 No. 58; de Hammer, Mithriaca, Pl. XXII; Lajard, Intr., Pl. LXXVI, 2; Froehner, Not. Sculpt., 502 No. 570; MMM II 223ff No. 57 and fig. 53; 481 No. 57a; Cecchelli in Roma 1941, Taf. XXII.In a rocky cave Mithras as a bullkiller: The god’s face has an expression of effort or grief. The dog and the serpent are present;…

The full article is reserved for our members.

Log in or create a free account to access the entire site.