Antique low relief of God Mithra
Situated in the « Vallon de Tourne”, this bas-relief carved into the rock represents a young man killing a sacred bull. The Mithraic Mysteries were a mystery religion practiced in the Roman Empire from about the 1st to 4th centuries AD. The name of the Persian god Mithra, adapted into Greek as Mithras, was linked to a new and distinctive imagery
Listed building since february 1972.
1,30m long, 1,15m high on an rectangular sign of 2,30m x 1,85m. It is the only sculpture that has directly been carved into a rock that can be found in France. In the third century it formed the back of a temple (Mithraeum) that extended up to the river. This low relief should be destroyed for the construction of the rail road in 1880 but an inhabitant, Priest Paradis, opposed it and finally could protect it.
The cult of Mithra has its origin in the indo-iranien culture and has been adopted by the romans, that fighted against the gallic divinities, the druids and the christians. This God appeared as a young man, riding on a bull he is trying to sacrifice. The animal’s death generates a new life. This new life is symbolised by the ears of wheat that burst out of the bull’s tail. Under this representation one can find a latin text, today almost erased, that has lead to a lot of different translations. The one that is shared by most of the experts is: “Titus Furius Sabinus has ordered this image of the invincible God and he dedicated it to the divinity of Mithra, under the big sun.”
This cult has its peak during the 3rd and 4th century when it transforms to the cult of sun. It becomes an important competitor of Christianity. Like all of the pegan religions, the Mithra cult is declared illegal in 391. Mithra was born in a cave near a source and there are rituals taking place in these cavities. It was a religion of initiative, that means, that physical proofs have been practiced by men. 7 grades were counted. This cult is strongly linked to astronomy.
1,30m long, 1,15m high on an rectangular sign of 2,30m x 1,85m. It is the only sculpture that has directly been carved into a rock that can be found in France. In the third century it formed the back of a temple (Mithraeum) that extended up to the river. This low relief should be destroyed for the construction of the rail road in 1880 but an inhabitant, Priest Paradis, opposed it and finally could protect it.
The cult of Mithra has its origin in the indo-iranien culture and has been adopted by the romans, that fighted against the gallic divinities, the druids and the christians. This God appeared as a young man, riding on a bull he is trying to sacrifice. The animal’s death generates a new life. This new life is symbolised by the ears of wheat that burst out of the bull’s tail. Under this representation one can find a latin text, today almost erased, that has lead to a lot of different translations. The one that is shared by most of the experts is: “Titus Furius Sabinus has ordered this image of the invincible God and he dedicated it to the divinity of Mithra, under the big sun.”
This cult has its peak during the 3rd and 4th century when it transforms to the cult of sun. It becomes an important competitor of Christianity. Like all of the pegan religions, the Mithra cult is declared illegal in 391. Mithra was born in a cave near a source and there are rituals taking place in these cavities. It was a religion of initiative, that means, that physical proofs have been practiced by men. 7 grades were counted. This cult is strongly linked to astronomy.
Equipments / Services
- Pets allowed
Opening / Rates
Opening
All year round, daily.
Rates
Free access.
