Skip to main content
Home

Main navigation

  • The Seuso treasure
    • The treasure
    • The artefacts
    • The Kőszárhegy silver stand
    • Data and facts about the treasure
    • Recent history of the treasure trove
    • Similar treasure finds
    • Undiscovered objects
  • The Research Project
    • The research project
    • The Seuso Working Committee
    • Partners
  • Exhibitions
    • Permanent exhibiton
    • Travelling exhibition
    • Exhibitions in the House of Parliament
  • Media
    • News, events
    • Press releases
    • Articles in the press
    • Seuso Archives
  • hu
  • en
  1. Seuso Research Project
  2. Cult relief of Mithras, Sárkeszi
Cult image of Mithras, Sárkeszi (Photo: Ferenc Gelencsér © King Saint Stephen Museum)
Cult image of Mithras, Sárkeszi (Photo: Ferenc Gelencsér © King Saint Stephen Museum)
Pannonia
Last third of 2nd c. A.D.

Cult relief of Mithras, Sárkeszi

Besides wall fragments and other carved stones, a relief of a cult image was discovered in the outskirts of Sárkeszi, Fejér County. They are connected to the worship of the god Mithras. In the cult of Mithras, which includes Persian elements, a world view is expressed whereby the universe is controlled by the constant struggle of good and bad, light and darkness. The figure of Mithras slaying the bull embodies light defeating darkness. In the cult images depicting Mithras killing the bull, as on the Sárkeszi relief, always identical elements appear in a strictly defined arrangement. Mithras, who is wearing a Phrygian cap and eastern clothes, is slaying a white bull with his dagger, while kneeling on its back. Torch-bearers (Cautopates and Cautes), also in Eastern clothes, are standing one on each side of the relief. The god of the Sun, Sol, and the goddess of the Moon, Luna, appear above their heads, in the top corners. Their celestial chariot cannot be seen, only the heads of the horses harnessed before the chariot are represented appearing from behind the frame. On the ground various animals are attacking the bull at the bottom of the relief: a scorpion is represented at his testicles, a snake and a dog can be seen by his front legs. The cult of Mithras spread throughout the entire Roman Empire from the 2nd century, yet very little is known about its rituals because the worshippers who were initiated in this mystery religion – exclusively men – were bound by secrecy.

  • Reign of Emperor Augustus

    Ara Pacis Augustae (Altar of Augustan Peace)
    Statue of Augustus from Prima Porta
  • “Corinthian bronze”jug and bowl with handle, Egyed

  • Roman wall paintings

  • The Conquest of Pannonia

  • Colosseum

  • Reign of Emperor Trajan

    Trajan’s Column
  • Reign of Emperor Hadrian

    Pantheon
  • Reign of Marcus Aurelius

    Equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius
    Bronze portrait of Marcus Aurelius, Lugio
  • The Severan dynasty: the golden age of Pannonia

    Wall paintings from Brigetio
    Hercules mosaic, Aquincum
    Cult relief of Mithras, Sárkeszi
  • Ivory statue of Autumn (Autumnus), Savaria

  • The age of the soldier emperors

    Statue of Nemesis from the governor’s palace, Aquincum
  • Silver augur staff, Brigetio

  • Reign of Diocletian: the age of the First Tetrarchy

    Statue of the tetrarchs of Venice
    The Gold Coffin by Ferenc Móra
  • Reign of Emperor Constantine I (the Great)

    Mosaics of the Villa del Casale, Piazza Armerina
    The triumphal arch of Constantine
    The Colossus of Constantine I
    Colossal bronze statue of Constantine I
  • Foundation of Constantinople

  • Reign of Emperor Constantius II.

    Heidentor, Carnuntum
    The Kaiseraugst treasure
  • Helmet of March 15 Square, Budapest Castellum contra Teutanum

  • Imperial fibula with onyx, Szilágysomlyó

  • Reign of Emperor Julian

  • Reign of Emperor Valentinian I

  • Battle of Hadrianopolis

  • Barbarian incursions into Pannonia

    The Kőszárhegy quadripus
  • I. (The Great) Theodosius and his co-emperors

    Obelisk of Theodosius
    Gilded bronze bust of Valentinian II, Sopianae (?)
  • Fragment of glass vessel with gold foil decoration, Intercisa

  • Painted Early Christian burial chambers, Sopianae

  • Ivory diptychs

  • Sack of Rome

  • Giving up the territory of Pannonia

    Late Roman luxury villa, Nagyharsány
    The Beremend bronze plaque
  • Dethronement of Romulus Augustulus

  • Mosaics of Ravenna

Footer

  • Contact
  • Credits
  • Sponsors

All rights reserved © 2025