http://SaturnianCosmology.Org/ mirrored file For complete access to all the files of this collection see http://SaturnianCosmology.org/search.php ========================================================== *Illustration Gallery* *Astronomical Artefacts and Cuneiform Tablets, etc* ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *The illustrations on this page have been compiled from a variety of sources. If advised that copyright has been infringed I will immediately remove the particular illustration(s).* ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *Return To Section Index Page* ------------------------------------------------------------------------ A Mithraic tauroctony 'bull slaying' scene (Museo Nationale Roma). (The representation of Mithras slaying a bull is known as a tauroctony.) The bull slaying scene was the fundamental iconography of Western Mithraism. Within the Roman cult of Mithras this depiction held the place of honour in every Mithraeum (temple). In its various depictions throughout the Roman Empire it retained a striking sameness. Only minor variations are evident in over 500 representations of the bull slaying scene that have been found. The Roman Mithraic mysteries are likely the product of the syncretistic tendency of late antiquity. The meaning of the Mithraic tauroctonies (and frescoes) has continued to remain a puzzle to scholars. Roman Mithraism was a mystery-religion that had a unique development that was quite separate from its earlier history in Iran, India, and Upper Mesopotamia. It gained a widespread following in the Roman Empire during the first four centuries of the present era, especially in the Roman army. (There was a god Mithra in the Zoroastrian /Yashts /(hymns to Ahura Mazda) forming part of the Avesta collection of the sacred texts of the Zoroastrian religion. There was also a god Mitra in the Hindu pantheon. The first written reference to Mitra originates from the Hurrian kingdom (Upper Mesopotamia) of the Mitanni.) There is no clear or agreed understanding amongst scholars of the meaning of the Mithraic tauroctony (or other Mithraic iconography). Interpretations remain speculative. This is because there is no extant literary source that can provide help to clarify the meaning of the complex symbolism inherent in Mithraic art. The usual interpretation of the tauroctony has been that it depicts an animal sacrifice scene. Inscriptions identify Mithras with the Invincible Sun (Sol Invictus). Mithras is also frequently depicted wearing a star-studded cloak. Figures of Sol (Sun) and Luna (Moon) frequently appear at the two upper corners of the tauroctone scene. Also frequently depicted are the four winds, the twelve planetary gods, and/or the twelve zodiacal signs. The two torchbearers flanking the figure of Mithras to the left and right (Cautes and Cautopates) frequently correspond to the anthropomorphic figures of Sol (Sun) and Luna (Moon) at the upper left and right corners. As such one possibility is that Cautes may symbolise light and Cautopates may symbolise darkness. However, since 1836 a number of scholars have proposed that the tauroctony is actually a star map - a symbolic representation of particular equatorial constellations. Within the star map interpretation Mithras has a celestial persona and is either identified with Perseus located above Taurus the bull or Orion which is located beside Taurus the bull. The other figures present on tauroctonies are also given a celestial identification. The bull is Taurus, the dog is Canis Minor, the snake is Hydra, the scorpion is Scorpio, the raven is Corvus, the wheat ear (depicted on the bull's tail) is Spica (= Alpha Virginis, a proxy for Virgo), the twins Cautes and Cautopates are Gemini, the lion is Leo, crater is Crater, Sol is the Sun, Luna is the Moon, and the cave is the Universe. Quite often Corvus, Spica, Leo, and Crater are missing from tauroctonies. Mithras' sword is Aries. It is clear that the elements comprising the Mithraic bull-slaying scene were intentionally chosen to symbolise particular celestial phenomena in an organised manner. David Ulansey's attempt (The Origins of the Mithraic Mysteries (1989)) to substantiate his assumption that knowledge of precession is the central secret of the Roman Mithraic mysteries, and such is discoverable in Mithraic iconography, lacks any credible evidence or argument and is nothing more than fanciful speculation. We know very little for certain about the cult of Mithras. There is almost a complete lack of written evidence to tell us what the archaeological finds mean. The more frequent Christian sources are simply biased and distorted. Copyright © 2006 by Gary D. Thompson ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *Return to top of page.* <#top> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ This Web Page was last updated on: Saturday, June 24, 2006, 11:45 am. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ This Web Page was created using Arachnophilia 4.0 and FrontPage 2003. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ You can reach me here by email: gtosiris.mpx.com.au ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *Return To Site Contents Page*