This bronze plaque depicts the ancient Indo-Iranian god, Mithras. His cult spread throughout the Roman world during the Imperial period. Here, Mithras is shown slaying a wild bull—the principal image of the cult. The young god seizes the beast by its nostrils and plunges a knife into its side. Note the snake that rises up to lick the blood pouring from the mortal wound, and the dog that tears at the throat of the dying animal.

According to ancient belief, Mithras was a god of creation, as shown here by the wheat and grapevines sprouting from the blood of the slain bull. By killing the beast, Mithras essentially brought about life. The scorpion, depicted beneath the testicles of the bull, and the snake, represent the forces of evil that attempted to prevent the propagation of life. In the end, however, Mithras triumphed.

Mithras was also a Sun god, symbolized here by the sun in the upper left corner of this plaque. According to Mithraic belief, the sun and the moon, which is depicted in the opposite corner, ensured the proliferation of every plant and animal.

We have very few literary details about the practice of Mithraism in ancient Rome. However, artistic representations, like this plaque, offer some clues. And, the archaeological remains of shrines where worshippers once gathered provide further evidence about the cult.

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