This site uses cookies to offer you a better browsing experience.
Find out more on how we use cookies in our privacy policy.

 
Support The New Mithraeum The New Mithraeum is an independent, non-profit project dedicated to Mithraic studies, ancient religions and classical culture. Developed and maintained independently since 2007, the site exists without advertising, paywalls or institutional funding. If you have found value in its articles, interviews, photographs or database, please consider supporting the project with a contribution. Every contribution helps keep The New Mithraeum open, free and alive. Thank you.
Support us →
Locus

Roma

Archaeological evidence shows that the area around Rome has been inhabited since around 14,000 years ago. Excavations support the theory that Rome grew from pastoral settlements on the Palatine Hill, which was built over the area of the Roman Forum.

Mithraic monuments of Roma

See all Mithraic monuments in Roma →

Inscriptions from Roma

Procession Fresco from Santa Prisca

Nama [patribus] / ab oriente / ad occidente[m] / tutela Saturni. [Na]ma H[eliodromis] / tute[l]a S[ol]is. [Na]ma Persis / tutela [Mer]curis. Nama L[e]on[i]b[us] j tutela Iovis. Nama Militibus j tutela Mart[is]. Nama Nym[phis] j tutjela Veneris. [Nama coracibus tutla Lunae].
Honor to the Patres, from the east to the west, under the protection of Saturn. Honor to the Heliodromi, under the protection of the Sun. Honor to the Persae, under the protection of Mercurius. Honor to the Leones, under the protection of Jupiter. Honor to the Militares, under the protection of Mars. Honor to the Nymphi, under the protection of Venus. Honor to the Coraces, under the protection of Luna.

Mithras petrogenitus from Villa Giustiniani

Nama / L[ucius] Fl[avius] Hermadion / hoc mihi libens / d[onum] d[edit].
Nama, Lucius Flavius Hermadion, willingly gave me this gift.

Tauroctony from the Villa Borghese

Nama Sebesio. / Deo Soli invict[o] Mitrhe [sic!] / C[aii] Aufidii Ianuarius [et…] Nam/a/ ne CS
Tribute to Sebesius.
To the invincible Sol god Mithras. Caius Aufidius Ianuarius [and Caius Aufidius ---].

Petrogeny from Santo Stefano Rotondo

Petram genetricem / Aur[elius] Bassinus aedituus / principiorum cast[rorum] pereg[rinorum] / dedicavit hoc in loco et d[ono] d[edit] / antistante A[ulo] Caedicio / Prisciano eq[uite] R[omano] patre
The Birth stone, Aurelius Bassinus, guardian of the headquarters [principia] of the Peregrine camp, dedicated in this place and donated it, with Aulus Caecidius Priscianus, Roman knight, Father [pater], as witness

Tauroctony 593

Alcimus T. Cl[audi] Liviani ser[vus] vilic[us] S[oli] M[ithrae] v[otum] s[olvit] d[onum] d[edit]
Alcimus, slave and bailiff of Tiberius Claudius Livianus, gave this as a gift to the sun-god Mithras in fulfilment of a vow.

Tauroctony from Circo Massimo

Deo Soli Invicto Mithrae Ti[tus] Cl[audius] Hermes ob votum dei typum d[onum] d[edit].
To the Sun god Mithra, Tiberius Claudius Hermes following a vow offers the image of the god.

Tauroctonia del Cortile del Belvedere

Soli invicto deo / Atimetus Aug[ustorum] n[ostrorum] ser[vus] act[uarius] praediorum Romaniarorum.
To Sol the unconquered god. Atimetus, slave of our Augusti, overseer of the public estates.

Slab of Sol Invictus

Soli invicto / pro salute imp[eratorum] / et genio n[umeri] / eq[uitum] sing[ula- rium] / eorum M. Ulp[ius] / Chresimus sace[rd[os]] / Iovis Dolich[eni] / v[otum] s[olvit] l[ibens] l[aetus] [m[erito]]
Dedicated to Sol Invictus and to the Genius of the Imperial Batavian horseguards [equites singulares] for the emperors' health, by M. Ulpius Chresimus, priest of Jupiter Dolichenus

Altar of Vettius Agrorius Praetextatus

D[is] M[anibus].
Vettius Agorius Praetextatus
augur, p[o]ntifex Vestae,
pontifex Sol[is], quindecemvir
curialis Herc[u]lis, sacratus
Libero et Eleusiniis, hierophanta,
neocorus, tauroboliatus,
pater patrum, in [r]e publica vero
quaestor candidatus,
pr[a]etorurbanus,
corrector Tusciae et Umbriae,
consularis Lusitaniae,
proconsule Achaiae,
praefectus urbi,
legatus a senatu missus V,
praefectus praetorio {II} Italiae et
Illyrici, consul ordinarius
designatus,
et Aconia Fabia Paulina, c[larissima] f[emina],
sacrata Cereri et Eleusiniis,
sacrata apud [A]eginam Hecatae,
tauroboliata, hierophantria.
hi coniuncti simul vixerunt ann[os] XL.
To the spirits of the departed (Dis Manibus).

Vettius Agorius Praetextatus,
augur, pontifex of Vesta,
pontifex of the Sun, member of the college of the fifteen (quindecemvir),
curial priest of Hercules, initiated into the rites of Liber and the Eleusinian mysteries, hierophant,
neocoros (temple warden), tauroboliated (initiated through the taurobolium),
father of fathers; and in public life:
quaestor designate,
urban praetor,
corrector of Tuscia and Umbria,
consular governor of Lusitania,
proconsul of Achaia,
prefect of the city,
legate sent by the Senate five times,
praetorian prefect of Italy and Illyricum,
designated ordinary consul;

and Aconia Fabia Paulina, most noble woman,
initiated into the rites of Ceres and the Eleusinian mysteries,
initiated to Hecate at Aegina,
tauroboliated, hierophantess.

They lived together in union for 40 years.

Tauroctony relief exposed at the Hermitage Museum

D[onum] deo invicto d[ederunt] / Marci Matti / Fortuna/tus / et Alexander / et Pardus / et Eficax / per Fl[avio] Alexandro patre.
They gave a gift to the god Invictus: the Marci Matti, Fortunatus, and Alexander, and Pardus, and Efficax, through Flavius Alexander, pater.

Tauroctony relief of the Esquiline

C[auto]p[ati] / Primus pater fecit.
Primus, pater, made (this) for Cautopates.

Mithraic Sol of Piazza Dante

C[auto]p[ati] Primus pater fecit.
Primus, pater, made (this) for Cautopates.

See all inscriptions from Roma →

References

Back to Top