Biography
of Mareinos
- Mareinos was a Leo of the Mithraeum of Dura Europos.
- Active c. 212 – 217 in Dura Europos, Syria-Coele (Syria).
TNMP 76
Mareinos or Mareos is known for his frescoes in the Mithraeum of Dura Europos. His paintings are dated to the first half of the 3rd century AD. Most of his work is relatively well preserved. One of them includes the word Nama followed by his name. Nama is a word of Persian origin used as a form of blessing in the Mithras cult, so Mareos was most likely a follower of Mithraism.
Furthermore, we know of a certain Mareneios who, if it is indeed the same man, was μελλόλέων, meaning 'about to become a lion', then λέων or 'new lion'. A homonym –or is it always the same?– mentioned after two Fathers (TNMM 468) is presented as τετίτω or candidate, before being described as ἀντίπατρος, that is, antipater, a title whose exact meaning remains to be defined.
Mentions
Column with inscription from Dura Europos
The inscription pays homage to the emperor, probably Caracalla, to Mithras, the fathers, the petitor and the syndexioi.
TNMM 468
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.
TNMM 422
References
- Bricault; Roy (2021) Les cultes de Mithra dans l'Empire Romain