Bourg-Saint-Andéol Mithraeum

About

The bas-relief mithriaque of Bourg-Saint-Andéol is located near Bourg-Saint-Andéol in Ardèche. The bas-relief has been classified as historical monuments since 2 March 1927.

Bourg-Saint-Andéol's mithreum was built against a rock where the main tauroctonia was carved. The bas-relief is 1.30 m long by 1.15 m high and dates from the 3rd century AD. It is the only bas-relief carved directly into the rock in France, constituting the back of the temple dedicated to the cult of Mithra. Above the carved wall are two grooves that suggest that the roof of the temple was recessed. At the foot of the rock, there are two fountains that feed two small ponds.

Description: The tauroctonia represents Mithra in a cave, dressed in a mantle and a phrygian hat, making the sacrifice of the bull. The dog and snake are near the wound, the scorpion near the testicles and the raven, messenger of the sun, perched on the edge of the rock. In the upper left corner is Sol with a radiated crown and in the right Luna with a crescent on the head. In the lower left corner is...