The New Mithraeum Database

The fraternal order that focussed on the worship of the ancient Iranian god Mithra was probably formed in Iran, Armenia, and Pontus (the southern coastal region of the Black Sea in eastern Anatolia, present-day Turkey). Travelers and colonists from theseS…

Soldier of the Legio XVI Flavia Firma Antoniana stationed at Dura Europos.

The Temple of Mithras, inside an ancient military settlement, is situated on the eastern border of the Roman Empire.

Thrasyllus was an Egyptian of Greek descent grammarian, astrologer and a friend of the Roman emperor Tiberius.

King of the Greco-Iranian Kingdom of Commagene.

Danube region can be traced back to the legions that fought under his command in Armenia.

Of Semitic origin, Absalmos has dedicated a tauroctonic relief to Mithras in ancient Syria.

Centurion who dedicated the first known Latin inscription to the invincible Mithras.

Mithraic Influence on Early Christian Symbolism and Church – Architecture

Our modern understanding of Mithraism, though, depends largely on a few short (and very problematic) literary mentions, mostly written by the cult’s Christian rivals.

This relief of Mithras killing the bull includes an unusual owl at the feet of Cautopates and a cock next to Cautes.

TNMM589

The Mithraeum of Saara, Syria, has been identified through the deciphering of the remains of the iconographic programme on its arch.

TNMM32

The relief depict several unusual scenes from Mithras’s myth.

TNMM128

The remains of the Mithraeum of Aosta, also known as the Mitreo di Augusta Praetoria, were discovered in 1953 in insula 59, in a commercial district of the ancient city.

TNMM791

This inscription by a certain Ioulianos, found at the entrance to the Dolichenum at Dura Europos, bears an inscription to Zeus Helios Mithras et Tourmasgade.

TNMM661 – CIMRM 70

The most emblematic of the Syrian Mithraea was discovered in 1933 by a team led by the Russian historian Mikhaïl Rostovtzeff.

TNMM34 – CIMRM 34

The controversial Italian journalist Edmon Durighello discovered this marble statue of a young naked Aion in 1887.

TNMM157 – CIMRM 78, 79

The Hekataion of Sidon shows a triple Hekate surrounded by three dancing nymphs.

TNMM305 – CIMRM 84, 85

The small medallion depicts three scenes from the life of Mithras, including the Tauroctony. It may come from the Danube area.

TNMM141

The City of Darkness unique fresco from the Mithraeum of Hawarte shows the tightest links between the western and eastern worship of Mithras in Roman Syria.

TNMM344