Alfius Severus

Alfius Severus, whose name appears as Alfius Seberus in the inscription, was a prominent individual associated with the Mithraeum of Marino during the second half of the 2nd century CE. He is known exclusively through an altar dedicated to the Invincible God by Cresces, who identifies himself as his actor, or administrator (TNMM 465).

The precise status of Severus is unknown. The inscription gives him neither a civic nor a religious title, and there is therefore no direct evidence that he held the Mithraic grade of Pater. Clauss (1992) accordingly records him simply as Alfius Seberus and regards speculation concerning the identity or status of the dominus as unwarranted.

The designation of Cresces as actor, however, suggests that Severus possessed property or economic interests requiring administration. Lavagne (1974) interpreted him as an important private owner or entrepreneur and drew attention to the location of the mithraeum opposite the peperino (saxum Albanum) quarries near the Lucus Aquae Ferentinae. He proposed that Severus may have been connected with their exploitation, while Cresces, acting as his trusted administrator, may have participated in or helped organise a small Mithraic community drawn partly from quarry workers. This remains an attractive hypothesis, but it cannot be demonstrated from the inscription itself.

Vermaseren (1982) likewise identifies Severus and Cresces as figures connected with the community at Marino, while the surviving evidence securely establishes only their administrative relationship and Cresces’ dedication to the Invincible God.