Plaque of Mithras slaying the bull, mid-Imperial, 2nd or early 3rd century A.D.
Roman
Bronze; Overall: 14 x 11 5/8 x 1 3/4 in. (35.6 x 29.5 x 4.4 cm)
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Klaus G. Perls, 1997 (1997.145.3)
Technical Glossary
Roman
Bronze; Overall: 14 x 11 5/8 x 1 3/4 in. (35.6 x 29.5 x 4.4 cm)
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Klaus G. Perls, 1997 (1997.145.3)
Mithras was an Iranian god whose cult became very popular throughout the Roman empire, spread largely by soldiers. Shrines dedicated to Mithras have been found at sites as far apart as Hadrian's Wall in northern Britain and Dura-Europos on the River Euphrates in Syria. This plaque may well have decorated the wall of such a mithraeum (place of worship). Busts of Sol (the Sun) and Luna (the Moon) watch over the ritual scene of Mithras slaying the bull, aided by a dog, snake, and scorpion.
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Related Index Terms
Material and Technique
Subject Matter/Theme
- • Animal
- • Animal, Hoofed
- • Figure, Deity
- • Figure, Deity, Greek and Roman
- • Figure, Deity, Greek and Roman, Other
- • Figure, Deity, Indigenous Religions, Europe
- • Figure, Deity, Indigenous Religions, West Asia
Technical Glossary
- • Bronze
