Monumentum
Tauroctony of Santo Stefano Rotondo
The relief of Mithras killing the bull of Stefano Rotodon preserves part of his polycromy and depicts two unusual figures: Hesperus and an owl.
Mithras killng the bull from S. Stefano Rotondo
Carole Raddato
The New Mithraeum
28 Aug 2021
Updated on 15 May 2023
The full article is reserved for our members.
Log in or create a free account to access the entire site.
At the altar and in the space between the altar and the west podium were found the pieces of a remarkable polychrome of the tauroctony (n.inv. 205837). 0.905 m high, 1.48 m wide, the frame often 6 cm wide. Between the head of Mithras and the head of the moon is the mark of a strong blow with a blunt instrument, presumably at the time of the destruction of the Mithraeum. Part of a leg of the quadriga of Sol, and part of Sol's face, is missing. The relief falls within the type 1 representation of Campbell.
At the top left is the quadriga driven by Sol, wearing the corona radiata.
At the top left is the quadriga driven by Sol, wearing the corona radiata.