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Monumentum

Mosaics from Mitreo degli Animali

Several figures related to the Mysteries of Mithras are depicted on the mosaics of the Mithraeum of the Animals.
  • Naked man holding a knife and a shovel.

    Naked man holding a knife and a shovel.
    The New Mithraeum / Andreu Abuín (CC BY-SA) 

  • A scorpion from the Mithraeum of the Animals.

    A scorpion from the Mithraeum of the Animals.
    The New Mithraeum / Andreu Abuín (CC BY-SA) 

  • A snake with a comb from the Mithraeum of the Animals.

    A snake with a comb from the Mithraeum of the Animals. 

  • The bull's head and tail from the Mithraeum of the Animals.

    The bull's head and tail from the Mithraeum of the Animals.
    The New Mithraeum / Andreu Abuín (CC BY-SA) 

  • Central corridor of the Mitreo degli Animali.

    Central corridor of the Mitreo degli Animali.
    The New Mithraeum / Andreu Abuín (CC BY-SA) 

 
 
The New Mithraeum
10 Jul 2009
Updated on Nov 2023
 

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In the black and white mosaic of the central aisle, number of figures are still discemable. (Becatti, Pl. XVIII).

Visconti saw the outlines of a figure, which he held to be belonging to one of the Corybantes "nell’azione consueta di percuotersi a vicenda gli scudi". Further a standing, bearded man. He is dressed only in a subligaculum and holds in his outstretched l.h. a falx and in his r.h. a shovel (lea or Perses).

Further a raven (by Visconti taken for an owl); near it a cock and in front of it a scorpion.

In the centre of the aisle a serpent with a crest on the head and

Ne…

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Mitreo degli Animali

The Mithraeum of the Animals was decorated with a mosaic depicting a naked man, a cock, a raven, an scorpion, a snake and the head of the bull.

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