MAIN LIMES MUSEUMSWorld Heritage • Limes Museums • Limes Towns • Topics • Maps • Media • News • Contact |
Mithras - an Oriental mystic cult
Silver votive plaque - the killing of Mithras' steer
The raven symbolised the first level of initiation to the Mithraic
mysteries.
The Mithras cult was only accessible to the initiated and was
practiced in secret. The worshipers went through seven levels of
tests. Each level was asssociated with a symbol. The seven levels
were:
1. Corax (raven)
2. Nymph (bridegroom)
3. Miles (soldier)
4. Leo (lion)
5. Perses (Persian)
6. Heliodromos (son-runner)
7. Pater (father)
Mosaics depicting all seven levels are the source of information on
the initiation.
Location
found 1902.
Archaeology
red sandstone; height 38.5cm.
Literature
Mattern 2005,
81 Nr. 91.
Bavarian State Conservation Office – Landesstelle für die nichtstaatlichen Museen & Bavarian State Archaeological Collection with the support of the Bayerische Sparkassenstiftung