CIMRM 1896 - Two-sided relief. Tauroctony, Mithraic communion. Nr. Konjic, Bosnia

Konjic or Konjica.

The reverse of this monument shows Mithraic initiates at a ritual meal, dressed in their costumes. It is widely reproduced, but the trail can be difficult to follow.

Cumont gives a picture here: TMMM vol.I p.175, fig. 10. On p.176 is the explanation that it is a relief discovered "recently in Bosnia" with reference "Publié par M. Karl Patsch, Mithraeum u Konjicu (G1asnik zemalisk. Muzeja u Bosni i Hercegovini) Sarajevo 1897, pl. III. Cette reprélsentation est figurée au revers d'un bas-relief de Mithra tauroctone."

The item appears again in "The Mysteries of Mithras" (1903), fig. 38, "Mithraic Communion. Bas-relief of Konjica" on p.159, with the caption: "Mithraic communion. At the left the Raven and the Persian; at the right the Soldier and the Lion (Fragment of a bas-relief recently discovered in Konjica, Bosnia). T. et M. Introduction, p.175." On p.160 it adds, "A curious bas-relief recently published shows us the spectacle of this sacred repast (Fig. 38). Before two persons stretched upon a couch covered with pillows is placed a tripod bearing four tiny loaves of bread, each marked with a cross. Around them are grouped the initiates of the different orders, and one of them, the Persian, presents to the two a drinking-horn; whilst a second vessel is held in the hands of one of the Participants."

The item reappears in M. Vermaseren's "Mithras: the secret god" (1963), fig. 36, "Meal of the Mithraists", on p.102. On p.101 he states: "On the Konjic relief, the Raven and Lion, both wearing the masks of their grade, serve food and drink (Fig. 36), which in these scenes consists of bread, fruit and sometimes fish." This is the fig. 36 line-drawing given:

CIMRM entry

1896. Relief in grey limestone (H. 0.59 Br. 0.825 D. 0.10) from the Repovic mountains. It is sculptured on two sides and it was found near A. Sarajevo, Archaeological Museum. Probably 4th cent. A.D. 1) Front: Patsch, 192ff and PI. XI; Giglioli, MlR, PI. XXXI; Gabricevic in Glasnik Sarajevu (N.S.) VII, 1952, 19ff and fig.; idem in AJ I 1954,37 No. 16. See fig. 490 given by B. Gabricevic. By two vertical rims the relief is divided into three parts. In the grotto which is indicated by an arch with an inscription (No. 1896,2) Mithras kills the bull. The head of the god and part of his r. leg are lost. The raven is perched on the grotto's border, the dog, the serpent and the scorpion in the usual places. Cautopates (l) is cross-legged; of Cautes (r) only the head and the upper part of the burning torch are preserved. Above the grotto in the r. upper corner part of the bust of Luna is preserved; the corresponding bust of Sol (l) is lost. On either side of the main scene is a panel in which Mithras taurophorus. Both heads of Mithras are lost. Above the r. representation is an altar before which the lower part of a person dressed like Mithras; of another person above the l. representation only one foot is preserved. Traces of red painting. 2) CIL III 14617. Deo Soli inv[ict]o Meter[ae]. Meter[ae] or Meter[i] cf. Meteri in No, 1892 (Potok). 3) Reverse: Patsch, 194ff and Pl. XII; MMM I 175 fig. 10; Forrer, MH, fig. 83; MM 233 and Pl. II, 6; Loeschke in Tr. H., 325 fig. 13; Cumont, Rel. Or., Pl. XIII, 2; Giglioli, MIR No. 427 and PI. XXXI; Leipoldt, XIX and fig. 46; Turchi, RRA, Pl. XXV, 2; Gabricevic in Glasnik Sarajevu (N.S.) VII, 1952, 19ff and fig. See fig. 491. On either side of the representation is a twisted Corinthian column which probably bore an arch in order to give the impression of a grotto. Behind a kline, which is covered with the bull's skin, Sol and Mithras both with upraised r. hands. Mithras has no Phrygian cap; Sol holds a rhyton in his l.h. Before them is a small table with three legs on which four small loaves with crosses. To the left of the table a sitting lion. Four persons are walking to the repast. From l. to r.: a) a person in tunic and mantle with raven's mask (Corax). It is not clear whether he carries a dish or plate in his upraised r.h. b) a person in tunic and Phrygian cap who offers a rhyton. c) a person in tunic and probably in Phrygian cap who offers a cup. d) a person dressed in tunic and in a lion's mask (Leo). 4) Two other fragments were found which belong to the relief: a) Fragment (H. 0.17 Br. 0.26 D. 0.047) with part of the arched border and two rays, probably of Sol. Underneath it a Phrygian cap (Patsch, 197 and fig. 24). b) Fragment (H. 0.105 Br. 0.09 D. 0.03) with a base on which a krater (Patsch, 197 and fig. 25).