Fertőrákos mithraeum

The Fertőrákos Mithraeum is a temple to the Roman god Mithras at Fertőrákos in Hungary. The temple (known as a mithraeum), follows a typical plan of a narthex followed by the shrine proper that consists of a sunken central nave with podium benches on either side.

Fertőrákos Mithraeum
The Mitraeum at Fertőrákos
Location within Hungary
Alternative namesMithras grotto
General information
Typemuseum
Architectural styleancient Roman
LocationFertőrákos
CountryHungary
Coordinates47.74142°N 16.65674°E / 47.74142; 16.65674
Elevation154 m (505 ft)
Completed3rd century
Renovated1992
Height6 metres (20 ft)
Technical details
Floor area143 square metres (1,540 sq ft)
Other information
Seating typetrapeze

Discovery

It was discovered by chance by a stonemason called György Malleschitz in 1866 who undertook the initial clearance of the site. It attracted a great deal of interest from local scholars and a restoration of the stone vault of the shrine was funded by a local magistrate (the first attempt at reconstruction at any archaeological site in Hungary). This roof, however, was later demolished and the present cover building erected in the 1990s following the excavations of 1990–1991. The mithraeum is currently open to the public.

The Mithraeum

Two altars refer to people from Carnuntum and they seem to have been the impetus behind the construction of the temple. Its construction can roughly be dated to the beginning of the 3rd century AD. Trapeziodal in shape as the north end is wider than the south (5.50 m wide compared to 3.65 m), the shrine is 5.50 m long. It is orientated north to south, with the southern and eastern sides of the shrine both hollowed out of the natural rock and the northern and western sides being built in stone. Four steps lead down into the central aisle (nave) of the shrine which was 80 cm below the level of the pronaos and the two flanking side benches which were all on ground level. The tauroctony sculpture was carved into the rock face.[1] Three altars (see below) were also found on the site. Two were dedicated by Septimius Justianus, a custodes armorum (an soldier in charge of the armoury) of Legio XIIII Gemina. The second was dedicated by Julius Saturninus, a politician from the colony.

The altars

The following altars were discovered:

  • D(eo) S(oli) I(invicto) M(ithrae) / L(ucius) AVIT(us) MA/TURUS D(e)C(urio) / COL(oniae) KARN(unti) / V(otum) S(olvit) L(ibens) M(erito).[2]

To the god the Invincible Sun Mithras. Lucius Avitus Maturus, decurion of the colony of Carnuntum, willingly deservedly happily fulfilled his vow.

  • [S(oli) I(nvicto) M(ithrae) / SEP(timius) IUS(tini)/ANUS ARM(orum) [CUSTOS] / L(egionis) XIIII G(eminiae) / ANTON(inianae) V(otum) S(olvit).[3]

To Invincible Sun Mithras. Septimius Iustinianus, armorum custos of the 14th legion Gemina Antoninianus, fulfilled the vow.

  • S(oli) I(nvicto) M(ithrae) / SEP(timius) I(u)ST(ini)ANUS A(rmorum) [CUSTOS] / L(egionis) XIIII G(eminae) ANT(oninianae) / V(otum) S(olvit) L(ibens) M(erito).[4]

To the Invincible Sun Mithras. Septimius Iustinianus, armorum custos of the 14th legion Gemina Antoninianae, willingly and deservedly fulfilled the vow.

The finds are housed in the museum at Sopron.

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See also

References
  1. The relief includes the flanking figures of Cautes and Cautopates. An inscription at the bottom of the relief reads: FECIT IMPENDO SUO.
  2. CIMRM 1637. CIL III 4236. Carnuntum became a colony between 176-180 AD
  3. CIMRM 1638. CIL III 4238. The legion received the title Antoninianae under Caracalla.
  4. CIMRM 1639.
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