Mithras Emerging from the Rock - Image from a 1st Century AD Mosaic - 12x12" Canvas buy Wall Art

buy A mosaic scene of Mithras emerging from the rock - for your Home or Mithraeum!

This 12x12" canvas is an image of a 1st century AD mosaic of Mithras emerging from the Rock, part of the first scene from the Mysteries of Mithras.

Mithras was a savior god who presided over the Mithraic Mysteries. This ancient Mystery Religion was very popular with the Roman Legions and Roman Soldiers, and temples to Mithras were spread throughout the ancient Roman world.

This scene shows Mithras emerging from the Rock at the beginning of the Mithraic story. Mithras has been sent from the heavens by the celestial deities Sol, the Sun God and Luna, the Goddess of the moon. There is a theory that Mithras is sent to the Earth in a meteorite - and in fact he is "born out of rock", it may also be this is a symbol of spirit being born from matter.

In either case, here Mithras emerges from the Rock. The torchbearers, Cautes and Cautopates are at his side, and the Raven, the messenger of the God Sol is above watching the scene. Interestingly Cautopates does not bear the downward torch, but instead has a staff in one hand and a dog on a leash in the other. Possibly this is the dog that is later pictured in the Tauroctony scene at the end of the story.

This image is almost unique in Mithraic iconography as it depicts Mithras fully outside the rock, with his attendants and the Raven - those who support him in the end when he is victorious over the Bull.

This 12x12" canvas of the original Mosaic image is 1.5 inches deep, suitable for wall hanging and wide enough to be displayed on a shelf. Perfect for the Ancient Roman in your life!