Inscription no. 857 was painted in red letters inside of a tabella ansata that was discovered in the fill of the left bench inside of the Mithraeum at Dura Europos. The first line begins with "NAMA." The tabella ansata measure 31 x 19 cm and individual letters range in size from 2.5 to 5 cm in height (Rostovtzeff et al 1939:120). Francis (1975:441) identifies this inscription as celebrating the elevation of Camerius to the rank of "Nymph" (the second grade of intiates) among the Mithraic community at Dura Europos. [Yale University Art Museum Archives].
Grafitti no. 858 was scratched in the plaster above the painted inscription no. xxx in the the Mithraeum at Dura Europos. Francis (1975:439) discusses this as another "Nama" inscription (first word in the inscription) where an individual named Antoninus (last word in first sentence) aspires for elevation (most probably religious) in rank. The letter measure only 1 to 2 cm in height and the entire inscription occupies an area of 18.5 by 5 cm. [Yale University Art Museum Archives].
Grafitti no. 860 from the Mithraeum at Dura Europos. The area of this inscription measures 7 by 6 cm; individual letters range from 1 to 1.5 cm in height. This grafitti had been scratched on the fragment of a column from the Mithraeum at Dura Europos.
Nam[a]
Maximus
scen[i]co
Leg (ionis) IIII Sc(ythicae)
(Rostovtzeff et al 1939:121)
[Francis 1975:434) discusses how Maximus the scenico was mostly likely an soldier-actor but that the term might also mean tent-maker. [Yale University Art Museum Archives].
Painted inscription no. 855 from above the couch near to the southwest corner of the Mithraeum at Dura Europos. Actually, two inscriptions, on over the other.
The area of the text measures 60 by 50 cm and the letter ranges from 3 to 5 cm in height. The text names two individuals who hold the rank of Patres patrum. Named individuals include Livianus, Nilus, Loriatus and Antoninus. Rostovtzeff et al. (1939:119, Plate L.1. [Yale University Art Museum Archives].
Painted inscription no. 848 on the first column from inside of the Mithraeum at Dura Europos. The area of the inscription measures 20 x 14 cm with individual letters measuring 1 cm in size. It is an inscription dedicated to the victory of the Emperor. Rostovtzeff suggested that the unnamed Emperor was Caracalla. Rostovtzeff et al. (1939:87, Plate XLIX.2) [Yale University Art Museum Archives].
Two grafitti on a dark piece of plaster from either a door post or wall corner inside of the Mithraeum at Dura Europos. The upper grafitti is a NAMA inscription. The lower grafitti (no. 864/865) celebrates the elevation of Camerius to the rank of "Pater."
Patri
vita Ka
merio
Rostovtzeff et al. (1939:126, Plate L.4) [Yale University Art Museum Archives].
Grafitti no. 866 from inside of the Mithraeum at Dura Europos. It is suggested that this was a fragment of a hymnn or prayer in honor of Mithras. The area of the inscription measures 8 by 5 cm and the letters range from 6 to 8 mm in size.
Rostovtzeff et al. (1939:127, Plate L.5) [Yale University Art Museum Archives].
Grafitti no. 856 from inside of the Mithraeum at Dura Europos. Red painted letters were whitewashed, then a second inscription was scratched. .
Rostovtzeff et al. (1939:120, Plate L.2) [Yale University Art Museum Archives].
Grafitti from the Mithraeum at Dura Europos. [Yale University Art Museum Archives].
Grafitti from the Mithraeum at Dura Europos. [Yale University Art Museum Archives].
Graffiti from the Mithraeum at Dura Europos with "NAMA" clearly visible. [Yale University Art Museum Archives].
Grafitti on the fragments of a broken column from the Mithraeum at Dura Europos. [Yale University Art Museum Archives].
Grafitti from the Mithraeum at Dura Europos. [Yale University Art Museum Archives].
Grafitti from the Mithraeum at Dura Europos. [Yale University Art Museum Archives].
Grafitti from the Mithraeum at Dura Europos. [Yale University Art Museum Archives].
Grafitti from the Mithraeum at Dura Europos. [Yale University Art Museum Archives].
Grafitti from the Mithraeum at Dura Europos. [Yale University Art Museum Archives].
Grafitti from the mithraeum at Dura Europos. [Yale University Art Museum Archives].
Grafitti from the mithraeum at Dura Europos. [Yale University Art Museum Archives].
Cumont, Franz
1975 The Dura Mithraeum. Mithraic Studies I:151 - 214.
Francis, E. D.
1975 Mithraic graffiti from Dura-Europos. Mithraic Studies II: 424 - 445.
Rostovtzeff, M. I. et al.
1939 The Excavations at Dura Europos - Preliminary Report of the seventh and eighth seasons of work: 1933 - 1934 and 1934 - 1935. Yale University Press, New Haven.
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