The New Mithraeum Database

Ernest Renan suggested that without the rise of Christianity, we might all have embraced the cult of Mithras. Nevertheless, it has had a lasting influence on secret societies, religious movements and popular culture.

Laurent Bricault has revolutionised Mithraic studies with the exhibition The Mystery of Mithras. Meet this professor in Toulouse for a fascinating look at the latest discoveries and what lies ahead.

Figures in procession, each representing a different grade of Mithraic initiation, labeled with their respective titles.

TNMM115 – CIMRM 480

The person who commanded the sculpture may have been M. Umbilius Criton, documented in the Mitreo della Planta Pedis.

TNMM108 – CIMRM 230, 231

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

TNMM234 – CIMRM 188

Marble statuette of Cautopates, according to Giornale d’Italia 28, 3, 1860 found together with the preceding Nos.

TNMM921 – CIMRM 256

The Mithraeum of the House of Diana was installed in two Antonine halls, northeast corner of the House of Diana, in the late 2nd or early 3rd century.

TNMM5 – CIMRM 216

This 3rd century marble relief of Silvanus is the only sculpture found in Mitreo Aldobrandini.

TNMM627 – CIMRM 236

This white marble relief of Mithas killing the sacred bull was found embedded in the building of a noble family in Pisa.

TNMM604 – CIMRM 663

This inscription reveals the names of 36 cultori of Sentinum, one of whom bears the title of pater leonum.

TNMM570 – CIMRM 688

The Mithraeum was found in one of the rooms of the Horrea built in the years 120 - 125 AD. The installation of the shrine may have taken place in the first half of the third century.

TNMM10 – CIMRM 300, 301

One of the altars from the Carrawburgh Mithraeum depicts the bust of Mithras or Sol.

TNMM180 – CIMRM 847, 848

The lack of attributes and its decontextualisation prevent us from attributing a specific Mithraic attribution to this small Venus pudica from Mérida.

TNMM429 – CIMRM 785

The name of the Mithraeum of the Seven Gates refers to the doors depicted in the mosaic that decorates the floor, symbolising the seven planets through which the souls of the initiates have to pass.

TNMM4 – CIMRM 287

The Mithraeum of Vulci is remarkable because of his high benches and the arches below them.

TNMM20

The Mitreo dei Marmi Colorati takes its name after the discovery of a black-and-white mosaic of Pan fighting with Eros.

TNMM233

Two small altars, walled in the corners of the benches, with a representation of a jug (Becatti, PI. VII).

TNMM919 – CIMRM 244

Little building near K.

TNMM920 – CIMRM 253

Fragment of a marble vase, found near Portus by Prince Torlonia.

TNMM954 – CIMRM 322

Marble head.

TNMM1085 – CIMRM 559