CIMRM 1975-1976 - Tauroctony. Alba Iulia, Romania.

CIMRM entry

1975. White marble relief (H. 0.33 Br. 0.22) found in the ruins of Apulum (= Alba Julia = Gyula Fehervar = Karlsburg). Formerly in the Bathyani Library, now Muzeul Regional. Inv. No. 209/1. Lajard, Intr., XCVIII; Basrel. Transsylv., 38ff and Pl. II; Kappen, Nachricht, 14 No. XIII; Neigebauer, Dac., 158; de Hammer, Mithriaca, 92 No. 10; MMM II 315f No. 199 and fig. 175; Cserni, 339f and fig. 45. See fig. 515. In the centre Mithras (traces of red colour) as a bullkiller with the dog and the serpent. The raven and the scorpion are not visible. The torchbearers are not cross-legged. Cautopates (l) holds the torch downwards and possibly touches the bull's tail; Cautes (r) holds a bow in the l.h. and raises up the torch with his r.h. Beside Mithras' head are the busts of Sol (l) and of Luna (r). In the upper part of the relief other scenes are represented from l. to r.: 1) A person walks towards Mithras who sits on a rocky stone and who shoots a bow. 2) Small moon-like boat of the bull and underneath it a damaged representation of the bull's house. 3) Belongs to l. Person kneeling in front of a rock. 4) Mithras with upraised hands being born from the rock. In the lower part of the relief from l. to r. : 5) Sol is kneeling before Mithras in a grotto. Mithras holds in the upraised r.h. an indistinct object. 6) Mithras and Sol at the repast in a grotto. 7) Mithras and Sol in a chariot. 8) Reclining figure above waving water (Oceanus). In the arched upper border and in the bottom border runs an inscription: 1976. CIL III 1120; MMM II No. 247. L.H. 0.01. Deo invicto Mithre / Suaemedus ex voto / posuit.