Green jasper gem: Mithras slaying the bull (A) Kabeiros (B)

PP-ID:

PP-1684

Classification:

Mithraic amulet

Collection ID:

DE-Hamburg-Skoluda_M051

Collection:

Hamburg, Skoluda Collection

Collection Inventory:

M051

Reference Numbers:

Bonner, SMA D. 70; Michel 2001, no. 50; Michel, DMG, no. 38.1_5; CBd, no. 1684

Former Collections:

Seyrig, Henry (1895–1973)

Material:

jasper, green to black

Dimensions:

14.8 × 19 × 3.3 mm

Date:

2nd–3rd c. AD (Michel)

Iconography:

Mithras; tunic; mantle; cap, Phrygian; knife; bull; dog; snake; scorpion; raven; Kabeiros; hammer; rhyton

Green jasper gem, polished, both faces flat, edge bevelled towards the back. (Shape 8–9). Small piece chipped off.

Side A: Mithras turned left, his head also to the left, wearing a tunic, a mantle and a Phrygian cap. He is slaying a bull, his right hand holding a knife, ready to strike, his left hand grabbing the bull's horn. Dog at the bull's throat, snake below, scorpion behind, raven in the field above the scorpion.
Side B: Kabeiros to front, in tunic and mantle. There is a hammer in his raised right hand, and an animal-headed rhyton with mouth downward in his left hand.

Selected bibliography
• Bonner, SMA >>, 265; D. 70; click here for the full-text excerpt.
• Vermaseren, CIMRM >>, 394. no. 2366, fig. 660; click here for the full-text excerpt.
• Michel 2001 >>, 55, no. 50; click here for the full-text excerpt.
• Michel, DMG >>, 38.1_5.
• Bricault–Veymiers–Amoroso 2021 >>, 204–205, Cat. II.11.