Marble altar with Sol bust and torchbearers from the Mitreo delle Pareti Dipinte
Marble altar bearing a bust of Sol in radiate crown with Cautopates on the right and Cautes on the left, both cross-legged, from the Mitreo delle Pareti Dipinte at Ostia.
The New Mithraeum
Updated on May 2026
Marble altar (H. 0.60, with base 1.40; Br. 0.45 D. 0.42).Becatti, 61f and Pl. XI, 2.In the backside of the altar is a rectangular hole (H. 0.27 Br. 0.20 D. 0.27), which is connected with the depression in the lower part of the cult-niche.On the front the bust of Sol in radiate crown (greater part of the head damaged) in tunica. Next to his neck the lower border of a crescent. Both rays and crescent are pierced. On the r. side Cautopates (only parts of his legs and the r. hand with torch have been preserved); on the l. side Cautes (head lost); both cross-legged and in tunic with long sleeves.
The House of the Mithraeum of the Painted Walls was built in the second half of the 2nd century BC (opus incertum) and modified during the Augustan period.