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Bronze plaque of Mithras slaying the bull

mid-2nd–early 3rd century CE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 169
The cult of Mithras was very popular throughout the Roman Empire and was followed especially by soldiers. It was one of several eastern cults that spread rapidly as a result of the pax Romana (Roman peace); others included the worship of Jupiter Dolichenus, Manichaeism and, of course, Christianity. 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.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Bronze plaque of Mithras slaying the bull
  • Period: Mid-Imperial, Antonine or Severan
  • Date: mid-2nd–early 3rd century CE
  • Culture: Roman
  • Medium: Bronze
  • Dimensions: Overall: 14 x 11 5/8 x 1 3/4 in. (35.6 x 29.5 x 4.4 cm)
  • Classification: Bronzes
  • Credit Line: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Klaus G. Perls, 1997
  • Object Number: 1997.145.3
  • Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

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