The Mithraic evidence documented in Moesia inferior reflects the province’s strategic role within the frontier system of the lower Danube and the western Black Sea. Military mobility, urban settlements and riverine communication networks contributed to the diffusion of the cult throughout the region.
Mithraic monuments of Moesia inferior
Coin of Septimius Severus and god on horseback
Coin of Istrus, Moesia Inferior, showing Caracalla on one side and a god on horseback (Mithras ?) on the other.
Tauroctony from Târgușor
This limestone relief of Mithras killing the bull bears an inscription by a certain Flavius Horimos, consecrated in a ’secret forest’ in Moesia.
CIMRM 2306
Tauroctony stele from Nicopolis ad Istrum
The Tauroctony of Nicopolis ad Istrum is unique as it is the only Mithraic stele befitting a Greek donor.
CIMRM 2264
Inscription with Cautes and Cautopates of Steklen
An unusual feature of this very ancient relief is that Cautopates carries a cockerel upside down, while Cautes carries it right-side up.
CIMRM 2268
Tauroctony from Pleven
This relief of Mithras killing the bull in a vaulted grotto lacks the usual scorpion pinching the bull's testicles.
CIMRM 2257
Altar of Tettius Plotus from Oescus
In the altar that Titus Tettius Plotus dedicated to the invincible God, he called himself pater sacrorum.
CIMRM 2252
Autel of Straton from Kreta
Straton, son of Straton, consecrated an altar to Helios Mithras in Kreta, Moesia inferior.
CIMRM 2260
Brothers attested in Moesia inferior
Places in Moesia inferior
Istros
Under Roman rule from the 1st century CE, Histria was incorporated into the province of Moesia. The city is noted on the Tabula Peutingeriana, which places it 11 miles from Tomis and 9 miles from Ad Stoma.
Nicopolis ad Istrum
Nicopolis ad Istrum or Nicopolis ad Iatrum was a Roman and Early Byzantine town. Its ruins are located at the village of Nikyup, 20 km north of Veliko Tarnovo in northern Bulgaria. The site was placed on the Tentative List for consideration as a Wo
Novae
Novae was initially one of the few great Roman legionary fortresses along the empire’s border, forming part of the defences along the Danube in northern Bulgaria. It lies about 4 km east of the modern town of Svishtov.
Storgosia
Storgosia was a Roman road station and later a fortress, located in the modern Kaylaka Park in the vicinity of modern Pleven (North-central Bulgaria). Pleven is today the seventh most populous city in Bulgaria.
Ulpia Oescus
Oescus, Palatiolon or Palatiolum was an important ancient city on the Danube river in Roman Moesia.
Inscriptions from Moesia inferior
Tauroctony from Târgușor
Φλ[άουιος] Ὣριμος Φλ[αουίου] Μακέδονος οἰκονόμος κατ᾽ ἐπιταγήν / θεῷ ἀνεικήτῳ Μίτρᾳ ἀνέθηκεν εἰς ἄλσος ἀπόκρυφον. / Ε᾽θφράτῃ εὔχεσθαι ἁγνῶς. Φοῖβος Νικομηδεὺς ἐποίει.
Flavius Horimos, steward of Flavius Macedo, by order, to the invincible god Mithras, consecrated, in a secret forest. Adore the Euphrates with piety. Phoibos of Nicomedia made [this monument].
Horimos, the ‘Father’, dedicated this.
Flavius Horimos, the supervisor of the estate of Flavius Makedon, dedicated this to the invincible god Mithras, upon [divine] command, for a secret grove. May you pray to Euphrates in a pure manner. Phoibos of Nikomedeia made this.
Tauroctony stele from Nicopolis ad Istrum
Inscription with Cautes and Cautopates of Steklen
Altar of Tettius Plotus from Oescus
Autel of Straton from Kreta
References
- Aleš Chalupa (2016) The Origins of the Roman Cult of Mithras in the Light of New Evidence and Interpretations: the Current State of Affairs
- Bricault; Roy (2021) Les cultes de Mithra dans l'Empire Romain
- F. und O. Harl, Ubi Erat Lupa (2019) 21199 Mithras-Relief
- Steve Benner for CoinWeek (2023) The Cult of Mithras on Ancient Coins
- Valentin Bottez (2018) Mithras in Moesia Inferior. New data and new perspectives
- Николай Шаранков (2013) Посвещение на Митра от Никополис ад Иструм
