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Fragmentary Statuette of Mithras Tauroktonos

Unknownmid-2nd century A.D.

The J. Paul Getty Museum

The J. Paul Getty Museum
Los Angeles, United States

Preserved is a fragmentary sculpture of Mithras Tauroctonos or "Bull-Slaying". Mithras's body below the waist (right leg missing) and the head-less body of the powerfully sculpted bull (part of left front leg missing and portion of back right leg) remain. Mithras wears the typical Persian cloak and baggy trousers. Near his right leg lies the scabbard for a short Roman sword. A fragment of the sword is visible between Mithras's right knee and the bull's neck. Traces of red color are still visible near the wound. Three animals often associated with Mithraic representations of the tauroctony are represented; part of the snake near the back leg of the bull, a scorpion crawling up its belly, and a the torso of a dog near the bull's front legs.

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  • Title: Fragmentary Statuette of Mithras Tauroktonos
  • Creator: Unknown
  • Date Created: mid-2nd century A.D.
  • Location Created: Roman Empire
  • Physical Dimensions: 31.1 × 34.3 × 23.5 cm (12 1/4 × 13 1/2 × 9 1/4 in.)
  • Type: Human figure
  • External Link: Find out more about this object on the Museum website.
  • Medium: Marble
  • Terms of Use: Open Content
  • Number: 76.AA.63
  • Culture: Roman
  • Credit Line: The J. Paul Getty Museum, Villa Collection, Malibu, California
  • Creator Display Name: Unknown
  • Classification: Sculpture (Visual Works)
The J. Paul Getty Museum

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