Monumentum
Mitreo dei Serpenti
The Mithraeum of the Snakes preserves paintings of serpents, representing Genius Loci, part of an older private sanctuary, which were respected in the temple of Mithras.
The New Mithraeum
27 Apr 2010
Updated on 26 Jan 2023
Interior of the Mitraeum of the Snakes
The New Mithraeum / Andreu Abuín (CC BY-SA)
Detail of the east area
The New Mithraeum / Andreu Abuín (CC BY-SA)
One of the frescoes that decorates the Mithraeum
The New Mithraeum / Andreu Abuín (CC BY-SA)
Plan of the Mitraeum of the Serpents
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A Mithraeum (Reg. V, Is. VI, 6) constructed in a complex of buildings with tabernae behind the Decumanus Maximus ('Mitreo dei Serpenti').
By a side way of the Via della Fortuna Annonaria one enters a quadrangular room, serving as the vestibulum to the sanctuary (L. 11.97 Br. 5.15) ;it is divided into a central aisle and two side benches (L. 9.75 Br. 1.70 H 0.50) with small ledges. Only the right one has a step at its beginning; both have approximately in the middle the usual niches and they end before the cult-niche.
By a side way of the Via della Fortuna Annonaria one enters a quadrangular room, serving as the vestibulum to the sanctuary (L. 11.97 Br. 5.15) ;it is divided into a central aisle and two side benches (L. 9.75 Br. 1.70 H 0.50) with small ledges. Only the right one has a step at its beginning; both have approximately in the middle the usual niches and they end before the cult-niche.