Evidence from Thracia reflects the circulation of Mithraic cults across southeastern Europe and the eastern Balkans. The province occupied a strategic intermediary position between the Danubian frontier, the Greek world and Asia Minor.
Mithraic monuments of Thracia
Mithraeum of Sofia
The Mithraeum of Serdica was found in the fortified area of the ancient city of Serdica, now Sofia, Bulgaria.
CIMRM 2322
Tauroctony from Plovdiv
This Mithraic relief of the Danubian type was found in 1940 in the old town of Plovdiv.
CIMRM 2338
Tauroctony from Gérman
This very fine relief of Mithras killing the bull was discovered in 2014 in Germán, near Sofia, Bulgaria, and is now housed in the Sofia History Museum.
Tauroctony relief from Serdica
White marble tauroctony relief from Sofia, ancient Serdica in Thracia, found near the Church of St. Kral, depicting the standard bull-slaying with the full iconographic programme.
CIMRM 2320
Two-register tauroctony from Philippopolis
Small arched marble tauroctony relief from Philippovtsi near Sofia, Thracia, divided into two parts by a horizontal rim.
CIMRM 2332
Three-part tauroctony from Serdica
Arched marble tauroctony relief in two fragments from Sofia, ancient Serdica in Thracia, divided into three parts, with Mithras killing the bull in the centre and subsidiary scenes on either side; the weathered surface limits identification.
CIMRM 2325
Tauroctony with Sol and Luna from Virovsko
Limestone tauroctony relief from Virovsko near Vratsa, Thracia, depicting Mithras killing the bull with dog and raven, flanked by torchbearers, with Sol and Luna busts in the upper corners.
CIMRM 2326
Sol and Luna upper panel from Sinitovo
Fragment of a marble tauroctony relief found between Sinitovo and Tatar-Bazardjik, Thracia, preserving only the upper portion with the busts of Sol and Luna; the Greek inscription in the border names the dedicant.
CIMRM 2336
Fragmentary Greek inscription from Sinitovo
Fragmentary Greek inscription from Sinitovo, Thracia, preserving only the epithet epekooi — the listening one — and a partially legible name beginning with Audios.
CIMRM 2337
Greek inscription of Helios Mithras from Sinitovo
Greek inscription from Sinitovo, Thracia, recording a thanksgiving gift to Helios Mithras invictos — the invincible Sun-Mithras.
CIMRM 2335
Sancto inscription from Dolni Vadin
Fragmentary inscription from Dolni Vadin, Thracia, preserving only the word sancto — probably part of a dedication to Deo sancto invicto.
CIMRM 2329
Tauroctony lower panel from Sinitovo
Lower part of a marble tauroctony relief from Sinitovo, Thracia, found walled into a well, depicting the lower portion of the bull-slaying scene; the Greek inscription in the lower border records a thanksgiving to Helios Mithras invictos.
CIMRM 2334
People attested in Thracia
Places in Thracia
Bessapara
Bessapara occupied an important position along the communications routes linking Thrace with the interior Balkans.
Constantinopolis
Founded on the site of ancient Byzantium and refounded in 330 CE, Constantinopolis became an imperial residence in the eastern Roman Empire. In the 4th century, it was a key setting for interaction between traditional cults and Christian authority.
Debeli-Lak
The locality of Debeli-Lak belongs to the mountainous settlement landscape of ancient Thrace.
Dolna-Malina
Dolna-Malina lies within the inland territory historically associated with Roman Thrace.
Iarlovtsi
Iarlovtsi lies within the western Bulgarian region historically associated with Roman Thrace.
Kurtowo-Konare
Kurtowo-Konare belongs to the Thracian plain region associated with Roman settlement activity.
Philippopolis
Plovdiv is the second-largest city in Bulgaria, standing on the banks of the Maritsa river in the historical region of Thrace, behind the state capital Sofia.
Serdica
Serdika or Serdica is the historical Roman name of Sofia, now the capital of Bulgaria. Currently, Serdika is the name of a district located in the city.
