Mitreo delle Terme del Mitra
The Mitreo delle Terme del Mitra ( the mithraium of the Mithras baths ) is located in Ostia and is a well-preserved example of this type of building.
The mithraeum was built underground within the service area of the thermal baths . It can be reached by stairs. The main hall is 15.37 × 4.55 m in size and, as is usual with these shrines, was vaulted. The greatest height is 2.10 m, with two light shafts, one in the middle of the hall and one in the south, above the cult image of Mithras . Based on these light shafts, it can be assumed that the cult operation took place mainly during the day.
The cult room was once painted, but only a few remains have survived. On the sides of the hall there were low benches, on which the cult community probably sat. At the south end of the hall there is a plinth on which the cult statue was still found, which shows Mithras killing a bull ( tauroctony ). The statue is 1.7 m tall and is made of Greek marble. An inscription says that it was made by the Athenian Crito , that is, it was probably consecrated. The statue is dated to the 2nd century AD.
Web links
- Mitreo delle Terme del Mitra (with photos)
- Building entry for Mitreo delle Terme del Mitra in the Arachne archaeological database
Coordinates: 41 ° 45 ' N , 12 ° 17' E