Monumentum
Tauroctony of the Mitreo delle Sette Sfere
The relief of Mithras slaying the bull from the Mithraeum of the Seven Spheres was discovered in 1802 by Petirini by order of Pope Pius VII.
PublishedThe New Mithraeum
22 Jun 2009
Updated on 1 Dec 2022
Tauroctonia del Mitreo delle Sette Sfere, Ostia
Musei Vaticani
Tauroctonia del Mitreo delle Sette Sfere, Ostia
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A round, marble relief was found of Mithras killing the bull (a plaster cast is in situ). The relief (1.17 x 1.09) must have been inserted in the back wall. On the mantle of Mithras stars or planets and the moon can be seen. A dog and snake are sucking the bull's blood, a scorpion is biting the bull's testicles. The bull's tail ends in grain ears.
White marble relief with black veins (H. 1.09 Br. 1.27). Vatican, Gall. Lap. XXXIII, 10 found during excavations, undertaken by Petrini in 1802-1804 by order of Pope Pius VII.
White marble relief with black veins (H. 1.09 Br. 1.27). Vatican, Gall. Lap. XXXIII, 10 found during excavations, undertaken by Petrini in 1802-1804 by order of Pope Pius VII.