CIMRM 554-555 - "Chrestus the pater and Gaurus" tauroctony. Vatican, Rome.

A tauroctony bas-relief with a Greek inscription. It may be found in the Vatican museum, in the room of the animals, and is behind the large free-standing tauroctony of CIMRM 548. Note that casual visitors are not allowed into the room (in 2014), but must remain behind the rope in the corridor, which is why all the photos are from one side.

CIMRM entry

554. White marble relief (H. 0.43 Br. 0.72 D. 0.05), broken in two. Vatican Museum, Sala dei Animali, No. 149. Zoega, Abh., 149 No. 15; Gerhard-Platner, 198 No. 34; MMM II 211f No. 31; Amelung, Skulpt. Vat., II (1), 46 No. 17 and Taf. 5. See fig. 158 (Sansaini). In a cave Mithras, slaying the bull, whose tail ends in three ears. Dog and serpent near the wound; the scorpion on the usual place; the raven is perched on the border of the cave. In the upper corners Sol (l) in diadem and radiate crown, driving upwards in a quadriga; on the other side Luna (r) with crescent behind her shoulders, descending in a chariot and urging the two oxen on with a whip. On the lower rim, between two palm-branches an inscription: 555. Kaibel, 151, 1272; MMM II No. 39. Χρῆστος πατὴρ καὶ Γαῦρος ἐποίησαν ἐποίησαν in the sense of consacraverunt.

I.e. "Chrestus the Pater, and Gaurus, dedicated this."

External Links

• Roger Pearse, "According to Realencyclopaedie, the inscription Chrestos is to be seen on a Mithras relief in the Vatican", April 1, 2011.