Alcimus

Alcimus is known from the inscription carved on one of the earliest surviving Mithraic tauroctonies (CIMRM 593-594 = CIL VI 30818), today preserved in the British Museum. The text identifies him as seruus and uilicus of Tiberius Claudius Livianus and records that he dedicated the monument to Sol Mithras in fulfilment of a vow: Alcimus Ti(beri) Cl(audi) Liviani ser(uus) uilicus Soli Mithrae uotum soluit donum dedit.

Beyond this inscription, nothing certain is known about Alcimus himself. Nevertheless, the exceptional importance of the monument, together with its probable early date, has made him one of the most frequently discussed individuals in studies of the earliest archaeological evidence for the cult of Mithras (Vermaseren, Gordon, Clauss, Merkelbach).

The Tiberius Claudius Livianus mentioned in the inscription is generally identified with the equestrian officer who became praetorian prefect under Trajan around 101 CE (Syme 1980). If this identification is correct, Alcimus’ dedication may date to the very end of the 1st century or the beginning of the 2nd century CE, placing the monument among the earliest known Mithraic tauroctonies.

Although the inscription does not demonstrate Livianus’ personal adherence to the cult, it strongly suggests that Mithraic worship had already penetrated circles connected to the imperial administration and the military elite at a remarkably early stage.