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Monumentum

First Tauroctony relief of Dura Europos

One of the reliefs of the Dura Europos tauroctonies includes several characters with their respective names.
  • First tauroctony from Dura Europos

    First tauroctony from Dura Europos
    CIMRM 

  • First tauroctony from Dura Europos

    First tauroctony from Dura Europos
    CIMRM 

  • First tauroctony from Dura Europos

    First tauroctony from Dura Europos
    CIMRM 

 
 
The New Mithraeum
23 Jul 2009
Updated on Sep 2023
 

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Behind the main altar is a small relief (H. 0.42 Br. 0.57 D. 0.10) in white gypsum (see fig. 12, 4 and fig. 14).

The bas-relief shows the usual tauroctone scene of Mithras, who wears Persian clothing (Phrygian cap, flying cloak, tunic, trousers). A dagger sheath is visible at the juncture of the upper garment and the rear guarter of the bull. With his right arm Mithras reaches around the animal's neck and thrusts in the dagger from the front (dagger not visible). From the lower right corner the dog leaps against the bull, holding its nose close to the wound, indicated by the flow of blood,

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Mithraeum of Dura Europos

The most emblematic of the Syrian Mithraea was discovered in 1933 by a team led by the Russian historian Mikhaïl Rostovtzeff.

Sol and Mithras fresco of Dura Europos

Sol watches Mithras as he gazes Mithras gazes up to heaven while sharing the sacred meal.

Mithras hunting from Dura Europos

In this fresco from Dura Europos, Mithras is represented as a hunter accompanied by the lion and the serpent.

Main Tauroctony relief from Dura Europos

The main relief of Mithras killing the bull from the Mithraeum of Dura Europos includes three persons named Zenobius, Jariboles and Barnaadath.

 

Frescoes of 'Magis' from Dura Europos

Some scholars have speculated that the scrolls both figures hold in their hands represent Eastern doctrines brought to the Western world.

Fresco with tauroctony and seven cypresses

This enigmatic fresco on top of the main tauroctony shows Mithras killing the bull, accompanied by Cautes and Cautopates, surrounded by burning altars and cypress trees.

Inscription on the restoration of the Mithraeum of Dura Europos

Antonius Valentinus, centurio, made this plaque for the salut des empereurs Septimus Severus and Marcus Aurelius.

Graffiti to Kamerios from Dura Europos Mithraeum

The text mentions a certain Kamerios, described as immaculate miles.

 

Column with inscription from Dura Europos

The inscription pays homage to the emperor, probably Caracalla, to Mithras, the fathers, the petitor and the syndexioi.

Dipinto in red letters from Dura Europos

This short dipinto pays homage to the Lions and the Persians, the 4th and 5th Mithraic degrees.

Scratched words of Kamerios

'Hail to Kamerios the Pater' can be read on one of the walls of the mithraeum at Dura Europos.

Inscription to Tourmasgade of Dura Europos

This inscription by a certain Ioulianos, found at the entrance to the Dolichenum at Dura Europos, bears an inscription to Zeus Helios Mithras et Tourmasgade.

 

Altars of Dura Europos

Three plaster altars within the main altar of the Mithraeum of Dura Europos, two of them with traces of fire and cinders.

Engraved column by Maximus of Dura Europos

A certain Maximus from the Legio IV Scythica engraved his name in one of the columns of the Mithraeum of Dura Europos.