Biography
of Primulus
- Primulus is attested as a Pater at the Mithräum von Mainz.
- Attested at Mogontiacum, Germania superior, Germania in 151 – 230 (TNMM 513).
TNMP 147
Primulus was a pater of the Mithraic community at Mogontiacum (Mainz). He is known from a marble altar dedicated jointly to Mithras and Mars by Secundinius Amantius, cornicularius in the office of the prefect of Legio XXII Primigenia (TNMM 513; AE 1979, 425; Herz 1978; Clauss 1992; Bricault and Roy 2021).
The inscription records that Amantius made his dedication permittente Primulo patre, “with the permission of Primulus the pater”. The formula is particularly significant because it explicitly presents the dedication as having been made with the pater’s authorisation, providing direct evidence for Primulus’ authority within the local Mithraic community (Herz 1978).
Nothing in the surviving inscription identifies Primulus’ occupation, military status or full Roman name.
References
- Eric Rebillard, Jorg Rupke (2015) Group Identity and Religious Individuality in Late Antiquity.
- P. Herz (1978) Permittente Primulo patre, Journal of Mithraic Studies, II(2), p. 184-188.
- Philippe Roy & Laurent Bricault (2021) Les cultes de Mithra dans l’Empire romain.
- Roger Pearse (2016) CIMRM Supplement - Mithraeum. Ballplatz, Mainz, Germany.
Attestations
Altar to Mithras and Mars from Mainz
TNMM 513
This altar has been unusually dedicated to both gods Mithras and Mars at Mogontiacum, present-day Mainz.
Mithräum von Mainz
TNMM 359
The Mithraeum of Mainz, was discovered outside the Roman legionary fortress. Unfortunately the site was destroyed without being recorded.
