![Bull. della comm. arch. comm., 1885, p. 27 et pl. IV-V; cf. Lanciani, <em>Ancient Rome</em>, 1890, p. 192. Fig. 25.
[TMFMM]](/imago/mitreo_esquilino_004.jpg "Bull. della comm. arch. comm., 1885, p. 27 et pl. IV-V; cf. Lanciani, <em>Ancient Rome</em>, 1890, p. 192. Fig. 25.
[TMFMM]")
.jpeg "Mithras Tauroctonos from the Mithraeum of piazza Dante in Rome")
Brothers active in Roma
Mithraic monuments of Roma
Mitreo di Santa Prisca
The Mithraeum of Santa Prisca houses remarkable frescoes showing the initiates in procession.
CIMRM 476
Mitreo di San Clemente
The Mithraeum under the Basilica of San Clemente made part of a notable Roman house.
CIMRM 338
Mitreo Barberini
The Barberini Mithraeum was discovered in 1936 in the garden of the Palazzo Barberini, owned by Conte A. Savorgnan di Brazza.
CIMRM 389
Mitreo del Circo Massimo
The Mithraeum of the Circus Maximus was discovered in 1931 during work carried out to create a storage area for the scenes and costumes of the Opera House within the Museums of Rome building.
CIMRM 434
Mithraeum of the Baths of Caracalla
The Mitreo delle terme di Caracalla is one of the largest temples dedicated to Mithras ever found in Rome.
CIMRM 457
Mitreo di Santo Stefano Rotondo
The Mitreo dei Castra Peregrinorum was discovered under the church of Santo Stefano Rotondo in Rome.
Mitreo del Campidoglio «lo perso»
This temple of Mithras on the north side of the Capitoline Hill in Rome no longer exists.
CIMRM 414
Mitreo dell'Esquilino
In a house from the time of Constantine, a Lararium was found with a statue of Isis-Fortuna. The Mithraeum was a door next to it, on a lower room.
CIMRM 356
Mitreo d'Orazio Muti
This Mithraic temple, now disappeared, is known thanks to the numerous remains recorded since 1594 in the 'Memorie di varie antichità trovate in diversi luoghi della città di Roma'.
Aion of Orazio Muti
This monument has been identified from 'Memorie di varie antichità trovate in diversi luoghi della città di Roma', a book by Flaminio Vacca of 1594.
Fresco of procession of grades at Santa Prisca
Procession of figures dressed in different ways with inscriptions calling them by the seven grades of the Mithraic initiation cult.
CIMRM 480
Aion of Villa Albani
White marble statue of Lion-head god of time, formerly in the Villa Albani, nowadays in the Musei Vaticani.
CIMRM 545
Tauroctony of Ottaviano Zeno
The relief of Mithras slaying the bull by Ottaviano Zeno is lost, but two tablets of Cautes and Cautopates, which were part of the same ensemble, has been exposed at the Louvre.
CIMRM 335
Tauroctony of the Villa Borghese
This relief of Mithras slaying the bull was erected in Piazza del Campidoglio, moved to Villa Borghese and is now in the Louvre Museum.
CIMRM 415
Two-sided relief of Fiano Romano
The marble shows Mithras slaying the bull, on one side, and Sol and Mithras feasting on a bull skin, on the other.
CIMRM 641
Petrogeny of Santo Stefano Rotondo
The sculpture of Mithras rock-birth from Santo Stefano Rotondo bears an inscription of Aurelius Bassinus, curator of the cult.
Major fresco of the Mitreo Barberini
The votive fresco from the Mithraeum Barberini displays several scenes from Mithras's myth.
CIMRM 390
Tauroctony of Circo Massimo
This remarkable marble relief from the end of the 3rd century was discovered in the most remote room of the Mithraeum in the Circo Massimo.
CIMRM 435
Tauroctonia del Cortile del Belvedere
White marble relief depicting Mithras slaying the bull, dedicated by Atimetus.
CIMRM 546
Tauroctony found under the Palazzo Montecitorio (CIMRM 430)
This relief was found under the Palazzo Montecitorio, in Rome, and bought by the Liebighaus at Frankfort.
CIMRM 430
Altar of Vettius Agrorius Praetextatus
The marble altar mentions Vettius Agrorius Praetextatus as Pater Sacrorum and Patrum and his wife Aconia Fabia Paulina.
CIMRM 420
Aion from Villa Barberini
This lion-headed marble was found on the ruins of the Alban Villa of Domitianus.
CIMRM 326
Submission scene from Barberini
This scene of the main fresco of the Mithraeum Barberini seems to depict part of the initiation into the Mithraic Mysteries.
Tauroctony relief exposed at the Hermitage Museum
The relief marble of Mithras sacrifying the bull, exposed on the Hermitage Museum comes from Rome.
CIMRM 603
Tauroctony exhibited at the Cincinnati Art Museum
In the tauroctonic relief on display at the Cincinnati Art Museum, Mithras slaughters the bull over a rocky background.
Second Petrogeny of Santo Stefano Rotondo
The second statue of Mithras rock-birth was found in the Mitreo di Santo Stefano Rotondo shows a childish Mitras emerging from the rock.
Tauroctony of Santo Stefano Rotondo
The relief of Mithras killing the bull of Stefano Rotodon preserves part of his polycromy and depicts two unusual figures: Hesperus and an owl.
Zeus Brontoon sanctuary near Villa dei Quintili
Mithras and other oriental gods were worshipped in the shrine of Zeus near the Villa of the Quintilians in Rome.
CIMRM 634
Tauroctony from Vermaseren's private collection
Maarten Vermaseren acquired this rosso antico marble of Mithras slaying the bull in 1961.
Mitreo della Piazza Dante
The Mithraeum located in Piazza Dante in Rome was discovered in 1874 along with a series of monuments dedicated by a Pater named Primus.
CIMRM 349
Taurcotony statue of the Esquiline Hill
Except for the serpent, the sculpture of the taurcotony found on the Esquiline Hill lacks the usual animals that accompany Mithras in sacrifice.
CIMRM 352
Mithras petrogenitus of the Esquilino
The relief of Mithras being born from the rock of the Esquiline shows the young god naked, as usual, with a torch and a dagger in his hands.
CIMRM 353
Tauroctony relief of the Esquiline
The relief of Mithras slaying the bull found on the Esquiline Hill includes two additional scenes with Mithras and two other figures.
CIMRM 350
Tarouctony of the Palazzo San Marco
This sculpture of Mithras slaying the bull was bequeathed to the Republic of Venice in 1793 by Ambassador Girolamo Zulian.
CIMRM 584
Mithraic Sol of Piazza Dante
The relief of Sol was found during the construction of Piazza Dante in Rome in 1874.
CIMRM 354
Head of Sol / Helios intarsio from Sant Prisca
The intarsium of Sol found in the Mithraeum of Santa Prisca is composed of several varieties of marble.
Petrogeny of San Clemente
Mithras birth from the knees upwards emerging from a rock and wearing as usual a Phrygian cap.
CIMRM 344
Inscription by Proficentius, Rome
This marble slab bears an inception be the Pater Proficentius to whom Mithras has suggested to build and devote a temple.
CIMRM 423
Mithraeum under the Basilica of S. Lorenzo
In 1938 this Mithraeum was found 3.45 mtrs under the Basilica of S. Lorenzo in Damaso, in a cellar near the Sacrament's Chapel.
CIMRM 421
Altar from the Mitreo sotto la Basilica di San Lorenzo
This cylindrical marble altar was dedicated by the same Pater Proficentius as the slab, both monuments found in the Mithraeum beneath the Basilica of San Lorenzo.
CIMRM 422
Mitreo all'Arco di San Lazzaro
Three mithraic monuments were found in 1931, suggesting that a mithraeum probably existed in the area.
CIMRM 472
Stele of the Arch of San Lazzaro
This stele found at the foot of the Aventine bears an inscription of Kastos father and son, and mentions several syndexioi who shared the same temple.
CIMRM 473
Altar dedicated by Pater Patrum Augentius
This altar, now lost, mentions that the Pater Patrum passed on the attributes of the sacred Corax to his son.
CIMRM 403
Mitreo di S. Silvestro in Capite
This Mithraic temple, aka Mithraeum of the Olympii, was discovered in the 15th century in Rome, although traces have been lost except for a few monuments with remarkable inscriptions.
CIMRM 399
Inscription of Olympus to his grandfather
This monument is the only one still available from the disappeared Mithraeum in Piazza S. Silvestro in Capite.
CIMRM 406
Inscription of the Olympius for a Leo
The inscription explains the transmission of the fourth Mithraic degree through the Paters of the Mitraeum of San Silvestro.
CIMRM 400
Inscription of Kastos father and son
Second Mithraic monument dedicated by the Kastos family, found not far from the Arco di S. Lazzaro, in Rome.
CIMRM 473
Inscription of Septimius Archelaus
This marble plaque was made by a Pater and priest Lucius Septimius Archelaus of Mithras for him, his wife and his freedmen and freedwomen.
CIMRM 511
Marble slab with inscription of Aelius Urbanus
The Mithraic fellow P. Aelius Urbanus mentions that he built the sacred area of the Mithraeum Circo Massimo.
CIMRM 449
Altars found near Santa Maria in Monticelli
These three small marble altars mention the 'magister of the first year' Marcus Aemilius Chrysanthus and other members of the same community.
CIMRM 517
Marble slab with inscription from Mitreo Barberini
The inscription mentions the name of the donor, Yperanthes, of Persian origin.
CIMRM 391
Altar from Mitreo di San Clemente
The altar of the Mithraeum of San Clemente bears the Tauroctony on the front, Cautes and Cautopates on the right and left sides and a serpent on the back.
CIMRM 339
Altars to Cautes and Cautopates of Stefano Rotondo
These two parallel altars to the diophores were dedicated by the Pater and a Leo from the Mithraeum of S. Stefano Rotondo.
Mithras pantocrator of the Villa Altieri
This unusual representation of Mithras standing on a bull was kept in the Casino di Villa Altieri sul Monte Esquilino until the 19th century.
CIMRM 334
Altar of Aemilius Chrysanthus to the Invincible Sol
Aemilius Chrysanthus shares the expenses of this monument with a decurio named Limbricius Polides.
CIMRM 519
Altar to Arimanius of the Esquilino
This altar mentioning the god Arimanius was found in 1655 at Porta San Giovanni, on the Esquilino.
CIMRM 369
Fresco of lions at Santa Prisca
The inscription is above a procession of men carrying animals, bread, a crater and other objects that appear to be in preparation for a feast.
CIMRM 481
Inscription of Santi Marcellino e Pietro al Laterano
This inscription mentions a Pater for the first known time.
CIMRM 362
Altar to a Perses of S. Silvestro in Capite
This monument was erected on the occasion of the elevation of a member to the Mithraic grade of Perses.
CIMRM 402
Tauroctony on display in Boston
This fragmentary relief depicts Mithras killing the bull in the usual manner, remarkably dressed in oriental attire.
Altar to Mithras at the Walters Art Museum
This altar bears an inscription to the health of the emperor Commodus by a certain Marcus Aurelius, his father and two other fellows.
CIMRM 510
Cautopates in the Walters Art Museum
This fragmentary relief shows Cautopates bordered by three of the six zodiacal signs with which He is associated: Capricorn, Sagittarius and Scorpio.
Grand camée de France
Some authors have speculated that the flying figure dressed in oriental style and holding a globe could be Mithras.
Inscriptions of Roma
Fresco of procession of grades at Santa Prisca
To the invincible Sol god Mithras. Caius Aufidius Ianuarius [and Caius Aufidius ---].
Tauroctony of the Villa Borghese
Petrogeny of Santo Stefano Rotondo
Tauroctonia del Cortile del Belvedere
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.
Vettius Agorius Praetextatus, Augur, Pontiff of Vesta, Pontiff of Sol, member of the Board of Fifteen, Priest of Hercules, initiated into the mysteries of the Liber and the Eleusinian gods, introducer into the sacred service, temple overseer, initiated into the bull sacrifice, father of fathers [in the Mithras cult], but in the community Quaestor as candidate of the emperor, praetor urbanus, corrector of Etruria and Umbria, consular governor of Lusitania, proconsul of Achaia, city prefect, seven times sent as a legate of the Senate [to the Emperor to Constantinople], Praetorian Prefect of Italy and Illyria, designated regular consul, and Aconia Fabia Paulina, Hekate of Aegina, initiated to the bull sacrifice, inititated into the sacred divine service. These two have lived together for forty years.
Altar of Vettius Agrorius Praetextatus
Tauroctony relief exposed at the Hermitage Museum
Tauroctony relief of the Esquiline
Quem monuit Mithras mentemque dedit
Proficentio patri sacrorum
Utque sibi spelaeum faceret dedicaretque
Et celeri instansque operi reddit munera grata
Quem bono auspicio suscepit anxia mente
Ut possint syndexi hilares celebrare vota per aevom
Hos versiculos generavit Proficentius
Pater diguissimus Mithrae.
These little verses were composed by Proficentius, a very worthy father of Mithras.
Inscription by Proficentius, Rome
Altar from the Mitreo sotto la Basilica di San Lorenzo
Stele of the Arch of San Lazzaro
Altar dedicated by Pater Patrum Augentius
Olim Victor avus, caelo devotus et astris
Regali sumptu Phoebeia templa locavit.
Hunc superat pietate nepos, cui nomen avitum est:
Antra facit, sumptusque tuos nec Roma requirit
Damna piis meliora lucro: quis ditior illo est
Qui cum caelicolis parcus bona dividit heres?
Inscription of Olympus to his grandfather
Inscription of the Olympius for a Leo
Inscription of Kastos father and son
Inscription of Septimius Archelaus
Marble slab with inscription of Aelius Urbanus
Fragments of plaque from Circo Massimo
Orienti / Fructus Ponti (servus) / cum Myrone [f(ilio)] / sub M. Aemilio / Chrysantho / mag(istro) anni primi.
Soli / invicto / M. Aemilius / M(arcorum duorum) l(ibertus) Chrysanthus / mag(ister) anni primi et / M. Limbricius Polides / dec(urio) et sodalicio eius / d(e) (suo) d(onum) d(ederunt).
In the East, Fructus, slave of Pontus, with [his] son Myro, under the orders of Marcus Aemilius Chrysanthus, master (magister) of the first year.
To Sol invincible, Marcus Aemilius Chrysanthus, freedman of the two Marcus, master of the first year and Marcus Limbricius Polides, decurion and member of his college, at their own expense, offered a gift.
Altars found near Santa Maria in Monticelli
Marble slab with inscription from Mitreo Barberini
Altar from Mitreo di San Clemente
Leo vivas / cum Caedicio / patre.
Deo Cautae/opathi / Aur(elius) Sabinus, / pater huius loci, / et Bebius Quintianus / leo, / ex voto posuerunt.
Leo vivas cum / Caedicio / patre.
Que vive le Lion, avec Caedicius, Père.
Au dieu Cautopates, Aurelius Sabinius, Père de ce lieu, et Bebius Quintianus, Lion, à la suite d'un voeu, ont déposé.
Que vive le Lion, avec Caedicius, Père.
Altars to Cautes and Cautopates of Stefano Rotondo
Altar of Aemilius Chrysanthus to the Invincible Sol
Altar to Arimanius of the Esquilino
Nama Hel[io]doro leoni; Nama Gelasio leoni; Nama Phoebo leoni.
Tribute to Heliodoros, Lion; Tribute to Gelasios, Lion; Tribute to Poebus, Lion.
Fresco of lions at Santa Prisca
Ἡλίῳ Μίθραι / Τ(ίτος) Φλάουιος Ὑγεῖος / διὰ Λολλίου Ρούφου / πατρὸς ἰδίου.
To Sol Mithras, Titus Flavius Hyginus, through Lollius Rufus, his pater.
Inscription of Santi Marcellino e Pietro al Laterano
Altar to a Perses of S. Silvestro in Capite
References
- Official site. Parrocchia di Santa Prisca all'Aventino
- Raffaella (2018) Roma: i sotterranei e il Mitreo di S.Prisca - I Viaggi di Raffaella
- Roger Pearse (2014) CIMRM 476 - Mithraeum. Santa Prisca, Rome, Italy.
- Mitreo del Circo Massimo — Sovrintendenza Capitolina
- American Institute for Roman Culture (2012) Mithraeum at the Baths of Caracalla
- Roger Pearse (2014) CIMRM Supplement - Mithraeum. S.Stephano Rotondo / Castra Peregrinorum, Rome
- Charles William King (1887) The Gnostics and Their Remains
- Flaminio Vacca (1594) Memorie di varie antichità trovate in diversi luoghi della città di Roma
- Musei Vaticani. Profane museum
- Berlin-Brandenburgische Akademie der Wissenschaften (2023) Mithras tötet den Stier
- Maarten Jozef Vermaseren (1978) Mithriaca IV. Le Monument d'Ottaviano Zeno et le culte de Mithra sur le Célius
- Relief représentant Mithra, dieu iranien du Soleil, sacrifiant le taureau
- Vittoria Canciani (2022) Archaeological Evidence of the Cult of Mithras in Ancient Italy
- Funerary ara of Vettius Agorius Praetextatus and Aconia Fabia Paulina — Musei Capitolini
- Grave inscription of Vettius Agorius Praetextatus and his wife Paulina — Alte Welt
- Cincinnati Art Museum. Mithraic Relief with Bull
- Jame W Singer - Daily Art Magazine (2021) Masterpiece of the Week: Mithras Slaying the Bull
- Maarten Jozef Vermaseren (1982) Mithriaca III. The Mithraeum at Marino
- Tertullian.org. CIMRM Supplement - Tauroctony. Cincinnati, USA
- Bricault, Veymers, Amoroso et al. (2021) The Mystery of Mithras. Exploring the heart of a Roman cult
- Roger Pearse (2015) CIMRM 349 - Mithraeum of Piazza Dante. Esquiline, Rome, Italy.
- Carel Claudius van Essen, Maarten Jozef Vermaseren (1965) The Excavations in the Mithraeum of the Church of Santa Prisca in Rome
- Epigraphic Database Heidelberg. Inscription by Proficentius, Rome in EDH
- Bricault; Roy (2021) Les cultes de Mithra dans l'Empire Romain
- Elissa Lissi-Carrona (1986) Il Mitreo dei 'Castra Peregrinorum' (S. Stephano Rotondo)
- Museum of Fine Arts Boston (2020) Relief of Mithras slaying the bull (Mithras Tauroctonos)
- Epigraphik-Datenbank Clauss / Slaby. Altar to Mithras at the Walters Art Museum in EDCS
- The Walters Art Museum (2022) Votive Altar to Mithras
- The Walters Art Museum (2022) Cautopates with Signs of the Zodiac
- Attilio Mastrocinque (2017) The Mysteries of Mithras. A different account
- BnF (2007) Notice bibliographique du Grand camée de France