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Double-sided Mithraic Relief

The Double-sided Mithraic Relief, also known as the Mithras of Fiano Romano, is a marble bas-relief dated to the 2nd or 3rd century AD. It depicts typical scenes from the cult of Mithras and is preserved today at the Louvre in Paris. The quadrangular relief is made of marble on a travertine base and is notable for the high quality of its workmanship, which is considered superior to that of usual Mithraic sculptures. Because of its completeness, symbolic complexity, and excellent preservation, it is regarded as one of the finest surviving examples of Mithraic art.

Mithras of Fiano Romano relief showing Mithras slaying the bull, with celestial figures above and a dog and snake below.
The Mithras of Fiano Romano relief depicts Mithras in the tauroctony scene, with Sol and Luna above the bull-slaying figure.
2006 © · Public domain
Mithras of Fiano Romano relief showing Mithras slaying a bull, with celestial figures above and animals below.
Mithras of Fiano Romano, a two-sided marble relief with a tauroctony scene visible here.
© Unknown artistUnknown artist · CC BY-SA 3.0
Mithras of Fiano Romano relief showing a bull-slaying scene above a banquet scene with several figures around an altar.
Mithras of Fiano Romano, a double-sided relief with a tauroctony above and a banquet scene below.
© Unknown artistUnknown artist · CC BY-SA 3.0
Double-sided Mithras of Fiano Romano altarpiece with a bull-slaying scene above and a banquet scene below.
The Mithras of Fiano Romano, a double-sided marble altarpiece, showing relief scenes on both panels.
2010 © User:PHGCOM, 2006 · GFDL
Mithras of Fiano Romano relief showing Sol and another figure above a central altar with a serpent, flanked by attendants.
Reverse of the Mithras of Fiano Romano relief, depicting a banquet scene with Sol, Mithras, and attendants around a central altar and serpent.
· Public domain

Identification

TitleDouble-sided Mithraic Relief
Italian nameMitra di Fiano Romano
Typebas-relief
Object typebas-relief
Alternative nameMithras of Fiano Romano

Iconography and meaning

SubjectTypical scenes of the cult of Mithras

Historical context

DateBetween the 2nd and 3rd century AD
Historical period of MithraismFrom the 1st century BC to the 4th century AD
Historical significance of MithraismVery widespread and significant in the Roman Empire

Creator

Dating attributionDated by Franz Cumont

Discovery and provenance

Intentional concealmentIt appears to have been intentionally hidden to protect it from the outrages of the enemies of paganism
Previous ownerFranz Cumont
Museum acquisition date1939
Original find contextFound lying in a small brick container
Discovery contextFound during an archaeological research and excavation campaign
Discovery date1926
Discovery locationFiano Romano, Italy

Location and ownership

Current locationMusée du Louvre, Paris, France
Current departmentDepartment of Greek, Etruscan and Roman Antiquities
Catalog numberMA 3441

Physical characteristics

Thickness23 cm
Width68 cm
Height61 cm
Depicted on both sidesYes
ShapeQuadrangular

Materials

MaterialMarble
Base materialTravertine

History and restoration

Preservation stateVery well preserved, apparently because it had been hidden

Significance

Artistic qualityVery high, far superior to that of usual Mithraic sculptures
Assessment of the sculptureConsidered one of the best examples because of its completeness, complexity of symbolism, artistic quality, and excellent state of preservation
Evaluation by Franz CumontAn exceptional representation that distinguishes it from ordinary images of the god of the tauroctony

Other

Specific example mentionedThe Mithra of Fiano Romano