Biography
of Flavius Aper
- Flavius Aper is attested as a member of a Mithraic community (syndexios) at the Mithraeum III of Ptuj, with a recorded public career as Commander of the Macedonian legions V and XIII Gemina Galliens.
- Is attested in service with the Legio XIII Gemina.
- Attested in the 260.
- Attested in Poetovio, Pannonia superior, Pannonia in 260 – 268 (TNMM 204 and TNMM 255).
References
- Attilio Mastrocinque (2017) The Mysteries of Mithras. A Different Account.
- Gabriel Simeoni (2023) The Father of Mithras.
- Philippe Roy & Laurent Bricault (2021) Les cultes de Mithra dans l’Empire romain.
Attestations
Flavius Aper altar (CIMRM 1584)
TNMM 255
The altar of Ptuj depicts Mithras and Sol on the front and the water miracle on the right side.
D[eo] S[oli] i[nvicto] M[ithrae] / pro sal[ute] d[omini] n[ostri] Gallieni p[ii] f[elicis] / invicti Aug[usti] Fl[avius] Aper v[ir] e[gregius] l[ibens] m[erito].
To the invincible god Mithras, for the salvation of our pious and happy master Gallienus, the invincible emperor, Flavius Aper, a remarkable man [= knight], willingly and justly.
Mithraeum III of Ptuj
TNMM 60
Mithraeum III in Ptuj was built in two periods: the original walls were made of pebbles, while the extension of a later period was made of brick.
Mithras rock-birth of Mithraeum III, Ptuj
TNMM 204
Cautes and Cautopates attend the birth of Mithras from the rock in the Petrogenia of the third Mithraeum of Ptuj.
D[eo] S[oli] i[nvicto] M[ithrae] / pro sal[ute] officialium Apri prae/positi leg[ionum] V M[acedonicae] et XIII gem[inae] / Galli[enarum].
To the invincible god Sol Mithras, for the salvation of the members of the administrative office [officiales] of [Flavius] Aper, commander of the Macedonian legions V and XIII Gemina Galliens
