Monuments to Mithras

The relief of Mithras slaying the bull at Mauls in Gallia cisalpina is a paradigmatic example of the so-called Rhine-type Tauroctony.

TNMM476 – CIMRM 1400

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 relief is so well-known that it has been reproduced in nearly every handbook of archaeology and of history of religions.

TNMM198 – CIMRM 1083

The importance of the Mithraeum of Marino lies in its frescoes, the most significant of which is that of Mithras slaying the bull, surrounded by mythological scenes.

TNMM201

The tauroctonic relief from Dragus includes a naked flying figure that Vermaseren has identified as Phosporus or Lucifer.

TNMM310 – CIMRM 1919

This relief of Mithras killing the bull includes various singular features specific to the Danubian area.

TNMM797 – CIMRM 1973

This remarkable marble statue of Mithras killing the bull from Apulum includes a unique dedication by its donor, featuring the rare term signum, seldom found in Mithraic contexts.

TNMM796 – CIMRM 1947, 1948

The Mithraeum of Serdica was found in the fortified area of the ancient city of Serdica, now Sofia, Bulgaria.

TNMM56

Cautopates sculpture of Sidon features a snake near his left leg.

TNMM160 – CIMRM 81

The Mithraeum or Angers contained numerous objects, including coins, oil lamps and a ceramic vessel engraved with a votive inscription to the invincible god Mithras.

TNMM199

This gemstone depicting Mithras killing the bull, preserved in the Ploiești Museum, originated from Prahova County or south of the Danube area.

TNMM794

The large number of monuments found at the Mithraeum of Sarmizegetusa and the sheer size of the temple are unusual.

TNMM57 – CIMRM 2027, 2033

This fragmentary scupture of Mithras killing the bull belongs to the Getty Museum, Los Angeles, USA.

TNMM538

This remarkable Greek marble relief of Mithras killing the bull was discovered in 1705 and remained in private collections until it was bought by the Louvre.

TNMM793 – CIMRM 408, 409

This remarkable double-sided relief depicts the myth of Mithras and the Tauroctony on one side, and a scene of Mithras the hunter and the banquet of Mithras and the Sol on the other.

TNMM552 – CIMRM 1137

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

TNMM23 – CIMRM 180

The Mithraeum of the Seven Spheres (Sette Sfere) is of great importance for the understanding of the cult, because of its black-and-white mosaics depicting the planets, the zodiac and related elements.

TNMM9 – CIMRM 239

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

TNMM202

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

TNMM317 – CIMRM 383

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

TNMM200 – CIMRM 860