CIMRM 966-967, 968-969 - Tauroctony, and two torchbearers. Pons Sarravi / Sarrebourg / Saarburg, France.

CIMRM entry

966. Relief in sandstone (H. 2.60 Br. 2.20), which stood on the base of the cult-niche and was attached to the back-wall by means of iron clips. MMM II, Pl. IX; Fisenne, Pl. II-III and fig. p. 139; Esp. Rec. Gaule, VI, No. 4563; Saxl, fig. 81, See fig. 236. The badly damaged relief rests upon a cornice, consisting of a projecting edge with a votive inscription and four layers with flower- and egg-decoration. On it the main scene (H. 1.70 Br. 1.75), consisting of three parts, connected with iron hooks. On either side a raised border (Br. 0.22), which is crowned by a rosette. Each border contains five scenes. On the top of the relief a frieze (H. 0.50), on which another cornice with flower- and leafwork. On the cornice, which is partly lost, a bust (H. 0.17). A. The main scene: Mithras as a bullkiller in the usual attitude and. attire. The bull's tail ends in seven ears. The god's head and r.h. with the dagger are lost; the bull's muzzle and hind-legs are damaged. The dog and the scorpion are not clearly visible; the raven, at which Mithras is looking, was perched on the flying cloak. Under the bull's body a vase, to which the serpent, remnants of which have been found, probably directed its head. Beside it a lying lion in a menacing attitude. In the corners of the relief the busts of the four Wind-gods, two of which are youthful and beardless. The two others are bearded. To the heads of Zephyrus and Eurus (l. and r. lower corners) wings are attached. These wings are omitted in the heads of Notus and Boreas (r. and l. upper corners), because above them Sol in a quadriga (l) and Luna in a biga (r) are represented. The latter are damaged. B. The left side from the bottom to the top: 1) Standing person in tunic and trousers extends an undistinct object towards a person in long hair-dress (Saturnus and Jupiter?). 2) Person in flying cloak grasps the hairs of a smaller figure, which seems to be kneeling before him (Jupiter and a Gigant). 3) Reclining person, unclearly visible, the upper part of whose body is uncovered. He is leaning on his l. arm (Saturnus or Oceanus). 4) Mithras' rock-birth. 5) Destroyed. C. On the right side from the top to the bottom: 1) Damaged. Mithras is carried along by the bull. Only the hind part is preserved. 2) Mithras taurophorns. The head and forelegs of the animal trail along the ground. 3) Lion, walking before a tree with seven branches (cypress). 4) Mithras in Eastern attire shakes hands with Sol in a tunic. S) Mithras and Sol, both in the same attire as in the preceding scene, at the repast. Before them a table, cover,ed with a cloth, on which courses. Right of it a bird on the ground (raven) and above it a bull's head. D. In the corners of the frieze there are two more scenes: 1) In the l. corner Mithras, whose head and right leg have got lost. He shoots an arrow towards a rocky wall, against which a person is standing (the upper part of his body is preserved only). Before Mithras the outlines of a person in Eastern attire, kneeling down and extending his hands towards him. 2) In the r. corner a small house, of which the facade and tiled roof are visible. In front of it a squatting person, putting a torch down. Another person in Phrygian cap (probably Mithras) goes towards the house to hit the roof with a stick or to set fire to the house with a torch. Between these two scenes a meeting of the gods is represented. From the left to the right: a) Standing person, dressed in cloak, which leaves the. breast uncovered. Head and l. arm are lost. In his r.h. he holds a hammer (Vulcanus). b) In the background a half-dressed bust to the right. With his l.h. he supports his chin. c) Standing, naked person with a chlamys over his l. shonlder (Mercurius). The god has winged hair, and he points a caduceus down with his r.h. and carries a money-bag in the other hand. d) Bearded Jupiter in long hair-dress, sitting on a throne. He is completely naked, but a cloak lies over his knees. In his r.h. a thunderbolt, in, his l.h, (now lost) probably a sceptre. e) In the background, between Jupiter and Mercurius, a naked bust and beardless head in curly hair (Mars?). f) Standing, robust person, bearded and completely nude (Hercules). He points a club down with hisr.h. and in the other hand he holds a vague object (apple?). A lion's hide over his l. arm. g) Standing, naked person to the right, with a trident in his upraised r.h. and an oar in the other (Neptunus). He rested his l. foot probably on a rock or a dolphin. h) Youthful god, leaning against a big bunch of grapes (Dionysus). He held his l. arm (now broken off) behind his head. Around his middle probably a goat's skin. E. The whole relief is crowned by the bust of a beardless person (H. 0.67 Br. 0.56) in long, wavy hair (Sol). As it is clear from seven holes, the god wore a radiate crown. A groove in the back of the head moreover points to a semicircular aureole. 967. CIL XIII 4539; MMM II No. 491a. In h(onorem) d(omus) d(ivinae) deo inv[ict]o Marcellus Marianus / d(e) / s(uo) p(osuit). 968. Two reliefs in sandstone (H.0.93-0.96 Br. 0.45 D. 0.18-0.15). MMM II 516f and figs. 467-8; Fisenne, 146 Nos. 30-31; Esperandieu, No. 4564. Both reliefs are broken in fragments and badly damaged. Two torchbearers in Eastern attire and cross-legged. Cautopates points his torch (broken) downwards. On the monument traces of fire. L. leg got lost. On the base an inscr. Cautes raises the torch, as is clear from the attitude of the arms. 969. CIL XIII 3450; MMM lINo. 491b. ar / ... marli ... Marc/ellius Maria[nu]s de / suo posuit.