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We totally need a picture of this. Who's in the area? ;-)
Emperor Julian may have been initiated into the cult of the god Mithras at the Mithraeum of Vienne, France, according to Turcan.
As of 2022 this piece is currently NOT on display.
This fragmentary relief depicts Mithras killing the bull in the usual manner, remarkably dressed in oriental attire.
Where does the nightingale description come from? TIA
In the Mithraic bronze brooch found in Ostia, Cautes and Cautopates have been replaced by a nightingale and a cock.
??? Is this an actual mithraeum?
This Mithraic temple, now disappeared, is known thanks to the numerous remains recorded since 1594 in the 'Memorie di varie antichità trovate in diversi luoghi della città di Roma'.
I appreciate this article as it spawned and actual (gasp!) conversation on the facebook group. Mithraists are such a secretive bunch. ;-) There were a few bits I didn't agree with, but in the main, I too feel that when Mithras could no longer command the members it once had, it simply changed its outward appearance and kept going as the Masons. A fresh coat of paint, a change of clothes, and TA DA! Easy peasy.
Twelve centuries separate the decline of Roman Mithraism from the dawn of Freemasonry. Twelve centuries during which the mysteries of Mithras have remained more secret than ever.
Interesting that the couch's covering isn't recognizable as the slain bull, though I'm not sure I would blame the artist's lack of skill for the omission. Someone had to be directing the artist, as it's REALLY unlikely that every piece of Mithraic art had a single point of origin that every subsequent artist drew upon. Instead, let's think of the decorative stripes as an elaborate dorsuale. ;-) I am glad the snake got an invitation to the feast.
The remains of the mithraic triptic of Tróia, Lusitania, were part of a bigger composition.