The New Mithraeum Database

The main fresco of the Mithraeum of Santa Maria Capua Vetere portrays Mithras slaughtering a white bull.

CIMRM 181

Italy

This scene from the frescoes of the Mitreo di Santa Maria Capua Vetere shows a kneeling, naked man surrounded by two other figures.

CIMRM 191

Italy

This is the first of several fresco scenes depicting the initiation of a new member in a mithraic community, in Capua Vetere.

CIMRM 187

Italy

The Mithraeum of Santa Maria Capua Vetere preserves frescoes depicting several scenes of the initiation rites.

CIMRM 180

Italy

In the Mithraeum of S. Capua Veteres, Cautes stands between two laurel trees.

CIMRM 182

Italy

The vault of the Mithraeum of S. Capua Vetere is ornamented with stars with holes in their centres, which used to contain colourful glass decorations.

Italy

The Mithraeum of Santa Maria Capua Vetere includes a marble relief depicting a child Eros guiding Psyche through the dark.

CIMRM 186

Italy

Fresco showing a scene of initiation into the mysteries of Mithras in the Mithraeum of Santa Maria Capua Vetere.

CIMRM 188

Italy

Luna riding a biga in the Mithraeum of Santa Capua Vetere.

CIMRM 184

Italy

Video of the Comune di Marino on the Mithraeum of Marino

Peter Mark Adams: ‘The initiation was a frightening experience that caused some people to panic as a flood of otherworldly entities swept through the ritual space.’