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Monumentum

Mitreo dei Serpenti

The Mithraeum of the Snakes preserves paintings of serpents, representing Genius Loci, part of an older private sanctuary, which were respected in the temple of Mithras.
  • Interior of the Mitraeum of the Snakes

    Interior of the Mitraeum of the Snakes
    The New Mithraeum / Andreu Abuín (CC BY-SA) 

  • Detail of the east area

    Detail of the east area
    The New Mithraeum / Andreu Abuín (CC BY-SA) 

  • One of the frescoes that decorates the Mithraeum

    One of the frescoes that decorates the Mithraeum
    The New Mithraeum / Andreu Abuín (CC BY-SA) 

  • Plan of the Mitraeum of the Serpents

    Plan of the Mitraeum of the Serpents
    Ostia-Antica.org 

 
The New Mithraeum
27 Apr 2010
Updated on Jan 2023

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A Mithraeum (Reg. V, Is. VI, 6) constructed in a complex of buildings with tabernae behind the Decumanus Maximus ('Mitreo dei Serpenti').

By a side way of the Via della Fortuna Annonaria one enters a quadrangular room, serving as the vestibulum to the sanctuary (L. 11.97 Br. 5.15) ;it is divided into a central aisle and two side benches (L. 9.75 Br. 1.70 H 0.50) with small ledges. Only the right one has a step at its beginning; both have approximately in the middle the usual niches and they end before the cult-niche. This thronum was constructed between two antae, the left of which does