Monuments to Mithras

The relief of Palazzo Colonna, Rome, depicts a lion-headed figure holding a burning torch in his outstretched hands.

TNMM317 – CIMRM 383

The Mithraeum of Thermes in Greece was discovered in 1915 by Bogdan Filov.

TNMM202

A naked Mithra emerges from the cosmic egg surrounded by the zodiac, as always carrying a torch and a dagger.

TNMM200 – CIMRM 860

The Aion / Phanes relief, currently on display in the Gallerie Estensi, Moneda, is associated with two Eastern mysteric religions: Mithraism and Orphism.

TNMM327 – CIMRM 695, 696

This is the first known inscription that includes Phanes alongside Mithras found in a Mithraic context.

TNMM792 – CIMRM 475

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

TNMM174 – CIMRM 186

The relief of Mithras slaying the bull of Nersae includes several episodes from the exploits of the solar god.

TNMM420 – CIMRM 650, 651

Upon first examination, archaeologists interpreted the inscription on the cult vessel from Gradishje as referencing Mithras, though it has since been re-evaluated.

TNMM340

This white marble relief of Mithras killing the bull was found on the Esquilino near the Church of Saint Lucy in Selci in Rome.

TNMM146 – CIMRM 368

This altar found in Benifaió, València, was erected by a slave called Lucanus.

TNMM528 – CIMRM 807

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

The small Mithraic altar found at Cerro de San Albin, Merida, bears an inscription to the health of a certain Caius Iulius.

TNMM427 – CIMRM 795

Although the site at Cerro de San Albín is not a Mithraeum, archaeologists have found several monuments related to the cult of Mithras.

TNMM29 – CIMRM 772

Several inscriptions dedicated to Mithras have been found in Eauze, including these two by a certain Pater Sextus Vervicius Eutyches, discovered in 1768.

TNMM750 – CIMRM 888, 889

Found in Illmitz, Austria, in 1959, this altar was dedicated to the unconquered god Mithras by a certain Aelius Valerianus.

TNMM790 – CIMRM 2375

This limestone altar to Sol Invictus Mithra was found at Turda in 1905.

TNMM788 – CIMRM 2377

This is the second altar found in Ceanu Mic to date, dedicated to an Invictus being.

TNMM789 – CIMRM 2376

In this relief of Mithras as bull slayer, recorded in 1562 in the collection of A. Magarozzi, Cautes and Cautopates have been replaced by trees still bearing the torches.

TNMM125 – CIMRM 335

Franz Cumont considers the bas relief of Osterburken ’the most remarkable of all the monuments of the cult of Mithras found up to now’.

TNMM176 – CIMRM 1292, 1293

This fragmented altar was found in two pieces that Ana Osorio Calvo has recently brought together.

TNMM586