Mithras in the Danubian provinces

In June 2016 we organized the very first session dedicated to the Roman cult (or religions) of Mithras in the Danubian provinces. Although nowadays the study of Roman religion do not promote the focus on singular divinities, but on more holistic, complex views on religious communication, our session was an important one, because collected new materials from an area of the Roman Empire which is less known for the Western scholarship.

The seven contributions of our panel (pages 243-376) was published in the special volume (vol. 58, issues 1-4) of the Acta Antiqua Academiae Hungaricae Scientiarum Hungaricae. The articles are focusing on particular aspects of the mysteries of Mithras and its material evidence in Dalmatia, Pannonia, Dacia and Moesia Inferior.

In my article, I presented a short list of CIMRM Supplement for the province of Roman Dacia.

It is our honor, that one of the last articles of Robert Turcan was also published in the volume. STTL

 

Contents

The Mysteries of Mithras and Other Mystic Cults in the Roman World Introduction. An Occasion to Deal with Mithraism Anew Patricia A. Johnston Attilio Mastrocinque Alfonsina Russo László Takács 58(1-4), pp. 1–7 https://doi.org/10.1556/068.2018.58.1-4.1 Citation | PDF (145 KB) | Permissions

The Discovery of the Mithras Statue of Tarquinia Maria Gabriella Scapaticci 58(1-4), pp. 9–23 https://doi.org/10.1556/068.2018.58.1-4.2 Keywords: Mithras, Tarquinia, Civita Abstract | PDF (6003 KB) | Permissions

Mithras in Etruria Characteristics of a Mystery Cult in the Roman Regio VII Nicola Luciani 58(1-4), pp. 25–55 https://doi.org/10.1556/068.2018.58.1-4.3 Keywords: Mithraic mysteries, Etruria, marble, social classes, state religious policy Abstract | PDF (5515 KB) | Permissions

Specific Aspects of Mithraism in Etruria and Umbria Rebeca Rubio Rivera 58(1-4), pp. 57–67 https://doi.org/10.1556/068.2018.58.1-4.4 Keywords: Mithraism, Etruria, Umbria, Private Mithraea, Mithraic Leones, Leonteum Abstract | PDF (194 KB) | Permissions

New Reliefs from Veii and Mithraic Reliefs from Etruria (Regio VII): Iconography, Chronology and Archaeological Context Ugo Fusco 58(1-4), pp. 69–83 https://doi.org/10.1556/068.2018.58.1-4.5 Keywords: Etruria, Veii, Mithraic reliefs, iconography, chronology, archaeological context Abstract | PDF (5057 KB) | Permissions

Mithras in Regio VI, Umbria Fragments of a Shipwreck Giovanna Bastianelli 58(1-4), pp. 85–115 https://doi.org/10.1556/068.2018.58.1-4.6 Keywords: leonteum, mithraeum, patroni, tauroctony, villa Abstract | PDF (5348 KB) | Permissions

A Newly Discovered Mithraeum at Ostia Massimiliano David 58(1-4), pp. 117–131 https://doi.org/10.1556/068.2018.58.1-4.7 Keywords: Mithraism, ancient Ostia, Mithraeum of colored marbles, Roman religion, Caupona of god Pan Abstract | PDF (5848 KB) | Permissions

Symbols of Identity and Culture of the Monogram in the Late Antique Mithraism The Case of Ostia Massimiliano David Alessandro Melega 58(1-4), pp. 133–142 https://doi.org/10.1556/068.2018.58.1-4.8 Keywords: Mithraism, early Christianity, late Antiquity, ancient Ostia, monograms, Ostia Marina Project Abstract | PDF (4034 KB) | Permissions

The So-called “Mithraic Cave” of Angera A New Perspective from Archaeological Investigations Stefano De Togni 58(1-4), pp. 143–155 https://doi.org/10.1556/068.2018.58.1-4.9 Keywords: Angera, Tana del Lupo, Roman religion, Roman cult cave Abstract | PDF (6630 KB) | Permissions

The Cosa Mithraeum: A Long Overdue Survey James C. Henriques 58(1-4), pp. 157–169 https://doi.org/10.1556/068.2018.58.1-4.10 Keywords: Cosa, Ostia, mithraeum, Mithraism, Roman baths, Roman colonies Abstract | PDF (7438 KB) | Permissions

Mithraic Iconography in Hispania Reinterpretation of the Catalogue and New Findings Claudina Romero Mayorga 58(1-4), pp. 171–197 https://doi.org/10.1556/068.2018.58.1-4.11 Keywords: Mithraism, Hispania, iconography, new findings, planetary gods Abstract | PDF (1279 KB) | Permissions

The Mithraeum at Kempraten (CH) – Preliminary Results from a New Discovery in 2015/16 Sarah Lo Russo Regula Ackermann Hannes Flück with a contribution by Markus Peter 58(1-4), pp. 199–215 https://doi.org/10.1556/068.2018.58.1-4.12 Keywords: Switzerland, Germania superior, excavation methods, sampling strategy, vicus, Mithraeum, archaeological science, archaeology, Roman Imperial period, cult, religion Abstract | PDF (2564 KB) | Permissions

Mithra Saecvlaris Robert Turcan 58(1-4), pp. 217–223 https://doi.org/10.1556/068.2018.58.1-4.13 Keywords: Mithras, Jupiter, time, universe, zodiac Abstract | PDF (174 KB) | Permissions

A Place with Shared Meanings: Mithras, Sabazius, and Christianity in the “Tomb of Vibia” Francisco Marco Simón 58(1-4), pp. 225–242 https://doi.org/10.1556/068.2018.58.1-4.14 Keywords: Pagan and Christian burials, initiation, interpretatio, syncretism, Mithras, Sabazius, otherwordly judgment, celestial banquet Abstract | PDF (5243 KB) | Permissions

Mithras in Moesia Inferior New Data and New Perspectives Valentin Bottez 58(1-4), pp. 243–262 https://doi.org/10.1556/068.2018.58.1-4.15 Keywords: Mithraism, Moesia Inferior, Novae, Istros, community Abstract | PDF (7571 KB) | Permissions

Mithraea in Poetovio and the New Discovery Mojca Vomer Gojkovič 58(1-4), pp. 263–273 https://doi.org/10.1556/068.2018.58.1-4.16 Keywords: Poetovio, Vicus Fortunae, temple, birth, bull, customs official, Sol, sacrifice, fibula Abstract | PDF (3705 KB) | Permissions

Between Metropolis and Wilderness: The Topography of Mithraea in Ager Poetoviensis Andrej Preložnik Aleksandra Nestorović 58(1-4), pp. 275–290 https://doi.org/10.1556/068.2018.58.1-4.17 Keywords: Mithraeum, Mithras, topography, urban Mithraea, countryside Mithraea, Pannonia, ager, Poetovio, Ptuj, Slovenia, Pannonia Abstract | PDF (11712 KB) | Permissions

To Carry the Universe in One’s Own Pocket: A Miniature Mithraic Relief from the Archaeological Museum in Split Nirvana Silnović 58(1-4), pp. 291–304 https://doi.org/10.1556/068.2018.58.1-4.18 Keywords: small and miniature Mithraic reliefs, tauroctony, Mithras, Salona, Dalmatia, social networks, religious mobility, power of the images Abstract | PDF (2740 KB) | Permissions

The Two Parts of the “Mithraic Universe” by Right of the External and Internal Orientation of the Cult Image Essay Ádám Szabó 58(1-4), pp. 305–324 https://doi.org/10.1556/068.2018.58.1-4.19 Keywords: Mithras, mithraeum, sacred topography, Mithraic Universe, Cosmos, Anti-Cosmos, Tauroctony Abstract | PDF (6356 KB) | Permissions

The Material Evidence of the Roman Cult of Mithras in Dacia CIMRM Supplement of the Province Csaba Szabó 58(1-4), pp. 325–355 https://doi.org/10.1556/068.2018.58.1-4.20 Keywords: Dacia, cult of Mithras, CIMRM Supplement, lived ancient religion, archaeology of religion Abstract | PDF (5574 KB) | Permissions

Epigraphic Records of the Friendship of Mithras and Sol in Pannonia Tünde Vágási 58(1-4), pp. 357–376 https://doi.org/10.1556/068.2018.58.1-4.21 Keywords: Mithras, Pannonia, Intercisa, Sol Socius, publicum portorium Illyrici, Syrian Sun cult Abstract | PDF (1685 KB) | Permissions

Apollo as a Precedent to the Coinage of Sol Invictus Lorenzo Pérez Yarza 58(1-4), pp. 377–397 https://doi.org/10.1556/068.2018.58.1-4.22 Keywords: Sol Invictus, Apollo, Numismatics, conservator, propaganda Abstract | PDF (1029 KB) | Permissions

The ‘City of Darkness’ and ‘The Twin Riders’ in the Mithraeum of Hawarte (Syria) Tommaso Gnoli 58(1-4), pp. 399–412 https://doi.org/10.1556/068.2018.58.1-4.23 Keywords: Mithraism, Zoroastrianism, Roman religion, ‘Oriental cults’, Hawarte, Ps.-Macarius Abstract | PDF (3181 KB) | Permissions

The Ritual Presentation of Symbols of Divinity: Power in the Isiac and Mithraic Mysteries Gérard Freyburger 58(1-4), pp. 413–419 https://doi.org/10.1556/068.2018.58.1-4.24 Keywords: Mithra, Isis, divinity, symbol, rite, water, bred, wine, Christianity Abstract | PDF (593 KB) | Permissions

The Mithraic praesepia as Dining Beds Attilio Mastrocinque 58(1-4), pp. 421–426 https://doi.org/10.1556/068.2018.58.1-4.25 Keywords: Mithraism, Roman religion, Mithraic diet Abstract | PDF (393 KB) | Permissions

Starry Twins and Mystery Rites: From Samothrace to Mithras Sandra Blakely 58(1-4), pp. 427–463 https://doi.org/10.1556/068.2018.58.1-4.26 Keywords: Cautes, Cautopates, torchbearers, Samothrace, comparative studies, Dioscuri, torches, Varro, Nigidius Figulus Abstract | PDF (14362 KB) | Permissions

Roman-Period Mystery Cults as the Focal Points of Cursing Rituals? Christopher A. Faraone 58(1-4), pp. 465–479 https://doi.org/10.1556/068.2018.58.1-4.27 Keywords: mystery religion, mystery cult, curse tablet, defixio, prayer for justice, burning, melting, lead, lamps, Magna Mater, Mainz, Opheltes, Palaimon, Demeter, Kore, Acrocorinth, Antioch, Samothrace, Dioscuri Abstract | PDF (2041 KB) | Permissions

Mitra-Mithra-Mithras: The Roman Mithras and His Indo-Iranian Background Jaan Lahe 58(1-4), pp. 481–491 https://doi.org/10.1556/068.2018.58.1-4.28 Keywords: Mitra, Mithra, Mithras, Iran, India, Asia Minor, Indo-Iranian mythology, coins of the Kushan Empire, rock relief in Tāq-e Bostān, Mithras picture in Bāmīan, Avesta, Yašt 10, Bundahišn Abstract | PDF (187 KB) | Permissions

Mithras Demiourgos Diego Romagnoli 58(1-4), pp. 493–500 https://doi.org/10.1556/068.2018.58.1-4.29 Keywords: Being, Good, Father, Archetype, Demiurge, Tauroctony, Soul, Hyperuranium Abstract | PDF (178 KB) | Permissions

The Importance of Oriental Cults in Antium Beatrice Palma Venetucci Beatrice Cacciotti Maria Mangiafesta 58(1-4), pp. 501–527 https://doi.org/10.1556/068.2018.58.1-4.30 Keywords: Antium, Egyptian cults, Isis, Anubis, Serapis, Mithras Abstract | PDF (6927 KB) | Permissions

Anubis in the “Isiac Family” in the Hellenistic and Roman World Giulia Sfameni Gasparro 58(1-4), pp. 529–548 https://doi.org/10.1556/068.2018.58.1-4.31 Keywords: Anubis, “Isiac Family”, Hellenistic and Roman age, Egypt, Greece, Rome Abstract | PDF (308 KB) | Permissions

‘Foreign’ Cults at Rome at the Turn of the Principate Beatrice Poletti 58(1-4), pp. 549–569 https://doi.org/10.1556/068.2018.58.1-4.32 Keywords: Augustus, Roman religion, sacra peregrina, evocatio, exempla, Eleusinian Mysteries, initiation, grain distribution, Egyptian rites, Isis, Serapis, Apis, Egyptian art, obelisk, Mater Magna, Megale (n)-sia, Cybele, Attis, galli, Apollo Abstract | PDF (298 KB) | Permissions

Egyptianism Appropriating ‘Egypt’ in the ‘Isiac Cults’ of the Graeco-Roman World Valentino Gasparini Richard L. Gordon 58(1-4), pp. 571–606 https://doi.org/10.1556/068.2018.58.1-4.33 Keywords: appropriation, Egyptianism, Isiac cults, lived ancient religion, Persianism Abstract | PDF (12833 KB) | Permissions

Sacrificing – Feasting – Cursing Rituals in the Magna Mater Sanctuaries of Kempraten (Switzerland) and Mainz (Germany). An Interdisciplinary Approach Pirmin Koch 58(1-4), pp. 607–624 https://doi.org/10.1556/068.2018.58.1-4.34 Keywords: Roman Imperial period, interdisciplinary project, archaeology, Germania superior, Switzerland, geoarchaeology, zooarchaeology, archaeobotany, vicus, cult Magna Mater, ritual, sanctuary, Gallo-Roman ambulatory temples, grove, sacrificing, burnt offerings, feasting, curse tablets, Kempraten, Mainz Abstract | PDF (945 KB) | Permissions

The mundus Attinis in the Lucanian Consilinum (Campania) as a Metaphor of Death and Re-Birth Giulia Pedrucci 58(1-4), pp. 625–639 https://doi.org/10.1556/068.2018.58.1-4.35 Keywords: Attis, Cybele, mundus, Neoplatonism, Magna Graecia, Etruria Abstract | PDF (235 KB) | Permissions

La proibizione dei bacchanalia tra la Magna Grecia e l’Etruria Il Senatus Consultum de Bacchanalibus di Tiriolo e il Trono delle Pantere di Bolsena Vincenzo Elio Junior Macchione Davide Mastroianni 58(1-4), pp. 641–656 https://doi.org/10.1556/068.2018.58.1-4.36 Keywords: Tiriolo, Bolsena, Senatus Consultum, Trono delle Pantere, Dionysus Abstract | PDF (4687 KB) | Permissions

Mithras, Sol Invictus, and the Astral Philosophical Connections Dan-Tudor Ionescu 58(1-4), pp. 657–665 https://doi.org/10.1556/068.2018.58.1-4.37 Keywords: Mithras, Sol Invictus, Iran, Greek-Hellenistic Astronomy, Greek-Roman Planetary gods, Mysteries, Rome Abstract | PDF (186 KB) | Permissions

Secrecy in the Mithras Cult: Concealment, Cognition and Social Cohesion Olympia Panagiotidou 58(1-4), pp. 667–679 https://doi.org/10.1556/068.2018.58.1-4.38 Keywords: Mithras, Mithraism, secrecy, concealment, social cohesion, cognition, emotional arousal, modes of religiosity Abstract | PDF (212 KB) | Permissions

Porphyry, the Cave of the Nymphs, and the Mysteries of Mithras Luciano Albanese 58(1-4), pp. 681–691 https://doi.org/10.1556/068.2018.58.1-4.39 Keywords: bees, bougonia, Chaldaean Oracles, Homeric allegories, Mithraism, Platonism/Neoplatonism, reincarnation, Sun/Moon worship, tauroctony Abstract | PDF (186 KB) | Permissions

The Modena Relief: A Mystery of What? Ewa Osek 58(1-4), pp. 693–719 https://doi.org/10.1556/068.2018.58.1-4.40 Keywords: Modena relief, iconography, interpretations, Mithras, Phanes, Orphic cosmogonies Abstract | PDF (3387 KB) | Permissions

Χαῖρε Ὀρφεῦ! Perception of a Mystery: The Images of the Myth of Orpheus on Ancient Coins Francesca Ceci Aleksandra Krauze-Kołodziej 58(1-4), pp. 721–740 https://doi.org/10.1556/068.2018.58.1-4.41 Keywords: Orpheus, Eurydice, coins, coinage, Orphism, iconography Abstract | PDF (3887 KB) | Permissions

Adonis and Augustan Poets Paola Gagliardi 58(1-4), pp. 741–752 https://doi.org/10.1556/068.2018.58.1-4.42 Keywords: Adonis, Neoteric poets, Latin elegy, Virgil, Cornelius Gallus, Propertius, Ovid Abstract | PDF (212 KB) | Permissions