Biography
of Callimorphus
- Callimorphus, a slave, is attested as a member of a Mithraic community (syndexios), with a recorded role as arkarius (cashier).
- Attested at Caesarea, Cappadocia in late 2nd – early 3rd century (TNMM 35).
TNMP 196
Callimorphus was an imperial slave and arkarius (cashier) active at Caesarea in Cappadocia in the late 2nd or early 3rd century. He worked under Chresimus, an imperial slave who held the higher financial post of dispensator, probably within the administration of the imperial estates at Caesarea (Clauss 1992).
Callimorphus is known from a Latin inscription on a marble column, discovered at Caesarea in 1888 (TNMM 35; CIMRM 17). He dedicated an image, probably a statue, of Sol to Sol Invictus Mithras pro salute et incolumitate of Chresimus, fulfilling his vow libens animo. The dedication securely identifies Callimorphus as a follower of Mithras.
The reference to Auggustorum nostrorum indicates the joint rule of two emperors. The monument has therefore often been associated with the reign of Septimius Severus and Caracalla, although a precise date cannot be established from the inscription alone.
—Andreu Abuín, 2023.
References
Attestations
Column of Callimorphus
TNMM 35
Callimorphus dedicated this image of the sun god to the invincible sun ’Mythra’.
