CIMRM Supplement - Zodiac. Santa Prisca, Rome, Italy

To the left of the main chamber of the Mithraeum are three side chapels. One of these, labelled Y, contains a monument which was a zodiac.

From Vermaseren, Mithriaca II: The Mithraeum at Ponza, p.16:

... the only other known example of a zodiac in stucco [other than that in Ponza] is also to be found in a Mithraic sanctuary.(1) The extensive temple of Mithras near Santa Prisca has off its left side three side-chapels, each of which has been divided by means of benches into another Mithraeum similar to the main chamber. The central (Y) of these three chapels has an aisle leading towards a raised podium which contains a terracotta vessel for lustration. A niche has been constructed against the rear wall (Pl. XXIII), which has been painted blue-green and which still shows clearly the circles of the zodiac. The signs were made in stucco and the traces of them that are still preserved indicate that they probably started with Aries, since on the left lower side the remains of the Scorpion are visible. In the centre of the zodiac there are still holes for attaching a stucco figure. (1) E. Nash, Bildlexikon zur Topographie des antiken Rom, II, Tübingen 1962, 84 fig. 774; Vermaseren-van Essen. Exc. Sa Prisca, 140 ff and Pl. XXXII, 1; H. G, Gundel- R. Böker in PWRE s.v. Zodiakos col. 661 no 166,2.

In the Excavations Vermaseren states (p.140) that the room had dark red stucco of the same colour as the fronts of the podiums; and the room had a layout, rather like a Mithraeum itself with two benches either side:

The whole scheme suggests a separate small Mithraeum, but the niche itself points to another use. This is constructed around a narrow elevation, possibly intended to carry a lamp on either side for the necessary illumination,l and is covered in stucco. The two antae have red fronts and the inside is painted a greenish-blue, as is also the back. In the centre was a representation worked in stucco of which hardly anything has remained (there is even a hole in the wall). This representation was small, its base being set off by a horizontal line with an arch on it. Careful study of the remains has proved that this was not a representation of Mithras tauroktonos, but of Sol, and faint traces of the latter's radiate crown may even be distinguished. The suggestion, therefore, that it was either a head of Sol in lead or in inlay, is certainly not correct. The head of the Sun-god is now lost but it was surrounded by two circles, still clearly outlined, and between which some elevations are still visible. This must have been the ring in which the symbols of the Zodiac were depicted. The symbols themselves can no longer be identified although part on the left might be interpreted as the Scorpion. There are several other representations extant showing the Sun as the centre of the Zodiac and time and time again Mithras himself is shown as deus Sol invictus in this way, encircled by the zodiacal symbols. As the bullslayer on reliefs in London and at Siscia in Yugoslavia he is so encircled and, on a relief at Treves, badly damaged by axestrokes, one can see how, already at his birth the young god supported the Zodiac with his right hand. The niche itself is to some extent reminiscent of the representations of the Heliodromus in the niche of the Mithraeum of the Thermae of Caracalla, i.e. a niche in a Mithriac sanctuary need not necessarily show Mithras himself. A separate niche in a separate room, however, is an exclusive feature of this S. Prisca sanctuary. In front of the niche there is an elevation of some hard substance, rounded off on the side towards the central aisle. The entire space in front of the niche had been raised to the level of the side-benches, and this elevation must have been constructed on the top of it. Set into the elevation was a fairly shallow basin (diam. 0.71 m.) of coarse red pottery. Only part of the basin was found in situ although a large fragment of it was found in the same room on the left podium behind door b and wall H, and was later replaced in its original position. There is no inscription to give a definite indication of its use. However, it could not have served the same purpose as the very deep vessel in the front part of the top of the podium in the Mithraeum itself near door e and its separate construction suggests a special ritual.

He goes on to speculate that it may have been the Mithraic equivalent of a baptistry.

External Links

• Modern tourist website with opening hours. (English)
• Il mitreo di Santa Prisca: Chiesa di Santa Prisca (Aventino), Roma. - AngloHermes site. Retrieved 18th July 2014.
• More photos.
• The graffito.
• More photos.
• Useful extra info.