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Syndexios

Aurelius Crescens

An imperial freedman who restored the Mithraeum of Sabazeus for the Mithraic brethren.

The Mithras's shrine seen from the west.
The Mithras's shrine seen from the west.SAOA B3141

Biography
of Aurelius Crescens

TNMP 300

Aurelius Crescens was an imperial freedman active in the Mithraic community of Ostia. A small inscribed cippus records that he restored a dilapidated mithraeum on behalf of the brethren, improving the sanctuary after it had fallen into disrepair. The monument, possibly the base of a statue of one of the torchbearers, was found near the Theatre and is generally associated with the Mithraeum of Sabazeus.

Attestations

Cippus of Aurelius Crescens from Ostia

TNMM 951

A small cippus from the Mithraeum of Sabazeus records the rebuilding of the sanctuary after its collapse.

[Na]ma Victori Patri / Aur(elius) Cresce[n]s / Aug(usti) lib(ertus) / fratres ex / speleo dilap/so in melio/ri restaura/vit.
Homage to the Victorious Father. Aurelius Crescens, an imperial freedman, restored the ruined mithraeum for the brethren.

Mitreo di Sabazio

TNMM 10

The Mithraeum of Sabazeus was found in one of the rooms of the Horrea built in the years 120 - 125 AD. The installation of the shrine may have taken place in the first half of the third century.

Fructus / suis in/pendis / consum/mavit.
Fructus spent [this] at his own expense.
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