Thread by @DocCrom

(Bonus) Ancient Artefact of the Day: The famous Tauroctony scene from the Mithraeum at Nersae, AD 172, suurounded by other scenes from the myths of Mithras. #AAOTD #Mithras

Image: National Museum of Rome, Baths of Diocletian (CIMRM 650)

As the inscription attests, this was set up by Apronianus, the civic treasurer, at his own expense:

Apronianus rei p(ublicae) ark(arius) sua pecunia fecit.

This is a useful inscription that confirms that at this time the cult had not received state sponsorship, the phrase 'sua pecunia' reinforcing the personal connection between worshipper and cult.

While the tauroctony, that key emblem of the Mithraic cult is the central feature, the smaller surrounding panels refer to other features of the myth, such as his birth from a rock.

Also in attendance are the customary figures of Cautes and Cautopates, the torch bearers, the former always with his torch raised, the latter always lowered, alluding to the solar connection of Mithras.

Image: Statue group from the Mithraeum at Sidon, Louvre Museum

For more on the tauroctony scene and Mithraic cult, see:

Fusco, Ugo, and Francesca Boitani. “A NEW MITHRAIC RELIEF FROM VEII.” Archeologia Classica, vol. 66, 2015, pp. 519–546.

jstor.org/stable/26364296

#AAOTD #Mithras