Monumentum
Tauroctony exposed in the 'Sala dei Animali' of the Vatican Museaum
This Mithras killing the bull belonged to an artist before being exposed in the Musei Vatican under Pius VI.
Mithraeum.eu
20 Jan 2011
Tauroctonia de la Sala dei Animali del Vaticano
Andreu Abuín
White marbre. Rome, at first at the sculptor V. Pancetti, who restored it thoroughly together with Franzoni; afterwards to the Vatican under Pius VI. Sala dei Animali, No. 150. Second cent.
Mithras in usual attitude and attire, slaying the bull. The dog and the serpent hold their heads near the wound from which the blood abundantly flows. The scorpion at the testicles of the erected pizzle. Added are: Mithras' head, cloak, r. foot, arms, hands and nose; the bull's muzzle, forelegs and tail, the r. hindleg with a part of the base; the dog and the serpent except a part on the base.
E. Q. Visconti, Musea Pio Clem., VII, Pl. 7; Clarac, Mus. Sculpt., I, 25 and Pl. 56 No. 1190; Duruy, Hist. Rom., V, 748; Zoega, Abh., 146 No. 1; Fea, Nuova Descr., 102; Gerhard-Platner, 160 No. 15; MMM II 209 No. 28 and fig. 37; RRS, 296, 5/6; Ripostelli, Terme Caracalla, fig.; Amelung, Skulpt. Vat., II (2), 337 No 124 and Pl. 32; Leipoldt, fig. 13; HGR, 379; Anderson, 1412; Alinari, 6649. See fig. 155.
Mithras in usual attitude and attire, slaying the bull. The dog and the serpent hold their heads near the wound from which the blood abundantly flows. The scorpion at the testicles of the erected pizzle. Added are: Mithras' head, cloak, r. foot, arms, hands and nose; the bull's muzzle, forelegs and tail, the r. hindleg with a part of the base; the dog and the serpent except a part on the base.
E. Q. Visconti, Musea Pio Clem., VII, Pl. 7; Clarac, Mus. Sculpt., I, 25 and Pl. 56 No. 1190; Duruy, Hist. Rom., V, 748; Zoega, Abh., 146 No. 1; Fea, Nuova Descr., 102; Gerhard-Platner, 160 No. 15; MMM II 209 No. 28 and fig. 37; RRS, 296, 5/6; Ripostelli, Terme Caracalla, fig.; Amelung, Skulpt. Vat., II (2), 337 No 124 and Pl. 32; Leipoldt, fig. 13; HGR, 379; Anderson, 1412; Alinari, 6649. See fig. 155.
Data
- Current location Musei Vaticani
- Current city Roma
- Current country Italy
- Type
- Description tags
- Dimensions H. 150 W. 180 cm
- Material Marble (white)
- MMM 28
- CIMRM 548
- TNM mtscit000225
Comments
Anonymous
This is shocking.Why would the Vatican uphold Mithraistic beliefs when they were to follow Jesus beliefs?