Biography
of Marcus Lollianus Callinicus
- Marcus Lollianus Callinicus was a Pater of the Mitreo del Caseggiato di Diana.
- Active early 3rd century in Ostia, Latium (Italia).
TNMP 101
Marcus Lollianus Callinicus being a father, Quintus Petronius Felix Marsus [...] donated the image of Arimanius and dedicated it.
In the mithraeum of the Casa di Diana (I,III,3-4) we encounter pater Marcus Lollianus Callinicus. Perhaps it is the same Callinicus, mentioned in a graffito, who was in charge of a hotel in the neighbouring Casa di Giove e Ganimede (I,IV,2). On a few occasions he was acting together with a certain Petronius Felix Marsus, and together they dedicated a depiction of the Persian deity Arimanius (Ahriman), who played a role in the cult of Mithras as manifestation of Hades.
The name Marsus suggests that this individual was a snake-charmer, who was thought to have occult powers. Perhaps information that is better withheld from the many tourists who happily stroll on the road in front of these houses, leading to the Capitolium.
—Ostia-antica.org (2020) Famous people in Ostia and Portus: the ancient Greeks
Marcus Lollianus Callinicus in 126c, 127, 128; Caius Lucretius Menander in 130a; and Aulus Aemilius Antoninus in 139c. It should be noticed that in two cases these devotees are mentioned as pater using the eponymous form (127, 128) just seen in Umbrian cases and that in other two cases they are referred to with likely the same eponymous intention with the phrase ob honorem (130a, 137b). It is quite puzzling on the other hand the absence of the use of the term prosidens/praesidens. He appears also simply mentioned as pater in inscription 137b.
—Vittoria Canciani (2022) Archaeological Evidence of the Cult of Mithras in Ancient Italy
In fiction
In the novel The Mithras Conspiracy, 2019, by M.J. Polelle, a Pater Patrum named Marcus Lollianus Callinicus plays a prominent role in the plot as a historical figure.
Mentions
Altar at Caseggiato di Diana
TNMM 582
This altar was originally consecrated to Hercules and was rededicated to Mithras by Callinicus in the Mithraeum of the House of Diana.
Fragment with inscription to Arimanius Casa di Diana
TNMM 482
The image of the god Arimanius to which this monument refers has not yet been found.
Inscriptions of Caseggiato di Diana
TNMM 488
This marble slab found near the Casa de Diana in Ostia bears two inscription with several names of brothers of a same community
M. M. Caer[ellius Hiero]/nimus et C[allinic]/us sacerdo[tes et antisti]/es Solis [invic(ti) Mithrae] / thronum / fec(erunt).
Marcus Caerellius Hieronimus and Marcus Caerellius Callinicus, priests and antistes of Sol invincible Mithras, made the throne.