Material documented in Dacia Malvensis illustrates the spread of Mithraic cults through frontier communities, administrative centres and settlements connected to the Roman occupation of the Danubian territories. The evidence forms part of the exceptionally rich Mithraic landscape of Roman Dacia.
Mithraic monuments of Dacia Malvensis
Mithraeum of Slăveni
The Mithraeum of Slaveni was discovered in 1837 on the right bank of the river Olt, in Romanati district.
Mithras rock-born of Dobrosloveni
This sculpture from Dobrosloveni, Romania, depicts the petrogenesis of Mithras, with a hole through the generative rock from which water flowed.
CIMRM 2170
Second tauroctony relief from Romula
White marble tauroctony relief fragment from Romula, Dacia, now in Turnu Severin; the composition is partially preserved.
CIMRM 2172
Tauroctony from Reșca
Tauroctony relief fragment with torchbearer and scene of Mithras’ rockbirth from Romula, Romania.
CIMRM 2164
Tauroctony relief from Romula
Yellow marble tauroctony relief from Romula, Dacia, found in 1912, depicting the standard bull-slaying with Sol and Luna in the upper corners.
CIMRM 2171
Altar fragment from Romula
Marble altar fragment from Romula, Dacia, with only the letters DE carved out, tentatively supplemented as De[o Soli invicto]; the attribution is questionable.
CIMRM 2174
Altar of Aurelius Rufus from Romula
Sandstone altar from Romula, Dacia, dedicated to Deo invicto Mithrae by Aurelius Rufus ex voto, with the busts of Sol and Luna flanking the text.
CIMRM 2177
Horse feet fragment from Romula
Marble relief fragment from Romula, Dacia, bought in Resca in 1933, preserving the feet and forepart of a horse — possibly from a scene of Mithras ascending Sol's chariot.
CIMRM 2179
Inscription of Phoebus for Deo Soli from Romula
Inscription from Romula, Dacia, dedicated to Deo Soli invicto by A. Phoebus, a freedman, ex voto.
CIMRM 2173
Mithras's foot on bull from Romula
Fragment of a relief from Romula, Dacia, preserving the right foot of Mithras placed on a hoof of the bull.
CIMRM 2178
Sol in quadriga from Romula
Fragment of the right part of a marble relief from Romula, Dacia, depicting Sol standing in a four-horse chariot.
CIMRM 2176
Two-bull fragment from Romula
Marble relief fragment from Romula, Dacia, showing traces of two bulls; the Mithraic attribution is uncertain.
CIMRM 2175
Places in Dacia Malvensis
Romula
Romula or Malva was an ancient city in Roman Dacia, later the village of Reşca, Dobrosloveni Commune, Olt County, Romania.
