Mithras in Mauretania Tingitana

The evidence documented in Mauretania Tingitana illustrates the western diffusion of Mithraic cults through ports, frontier mobility and communication networks across the Strait of Gibraltar. The province occupied a strategic position between Africa and the Iberian Peninsula.

Mithraic monuments of Mauretania Tingitana

Plaque of Meknès

One of the two inscriptions by Aurelius Nectoreca, a follower of Mithras, found in Meknès, Morocco.

CIMRM 161

Altar from Meknès

Two inscriptions by Aurelius Nectoreca, a follower of Mithras, have been found in Meknès, Morocco.

CIMRM 160

Mithras inscriptions from Volubilis

Two inscriptions dedicated to Mithras found at Volubilis near the Fertassa aqueduct fountain, probably indicating the presence of a Mithraeum.

CIMRM 159

Brothers attested in Mauretania Tingitana

Aurelius Nectoreca
(191 or 192)

Places in Mauretania Tingitana

Volubilis

Volubilis is a partly-excavated Berber-Roman city in Morocco situated near the city of Meknes that may have been the capital of the Kingdom of Mauretania, at least from the time of King Juba II.

Inscriptions from Mauretania Tingitana

Plaque of Meknès

Pro salute et incolumitate imp[eratoris] Caesaris / L[ucii] Aeli[i] Aurel[ii] Commodi Pii invicti feli/cis Herculis Romani imperioque / eius Aur[elius] Nectorega [centurio] vex[illariorum] Britt[onum] / Volubili agentium sua pecunia / invicto posuit et d[e]d[icavit].

For the salvation and safeguard of the Emperor Caesar Augustus, Lucius Aelius Aurelius Commodus, pious, invincible, happy, Roman Hercules, and under his imperium, Aurelius Nectoreca, centurion of the Breton vexillation stationed at Volubilis, at his own expense, for the Invincible, has deposited and dedicated.

Altar from Meknès

I[nvicto] d[eo] M[ithrae] / Aur[elius] Nectore/ga [centurio] vex[illariorum] Brit[tonum] / Volubili / agentium / l[ibens] l[aetus] merito.

References

Philippe Roy (2021) Les cultes de Mithra dans l’Empire romain