Fitz Jenő (szerk.): Religions and Cults in Pannonia. Exhibiton an Székesfehérvár, Csók István Gallery 15 May - 30 September 1996 – Szent István Király Múzeum közleményei: A. sorozat 33. (1998)

MITHRAEUM - SARKESZI, XVI. To the cave-like sanctuary, built in the last decades of the 2nd century with a semicircular closing rather rare among Mithraeums, the members of the religious community could enter through a porch. The cult room consisted of the hollowed out cell and the platforms rising above it on both sides. The cell was restored and enlarged in the early 3rd century. About this time the charactenstical cult representation of Mithras made of marble and the marble disc representing the bull killing next to it might have been placed in the depth of the cell. On both sides of the cell altars dedicated to the god took place. The interior of the sanctuary was decorated with wall paintings. The elevated platform which might have had a separate entrance from the porch was the place of the initiated. The sanctuary of exceptionally large measures (23x10 m) suggests a numerous cult community. The equipment of the Mithraeum as altars, cult pictures, lamps was deliberately hidden before the devastation of the sanctuary. 186. Altar-piece of Mithras Oblong limestone slab, rounded on the top. In an arched niche the scene of the bull slaughtering. The god is clad in long trousers, long-sleeved tunic, over the tunic a chlamis fastened by a disc-shaped brooch. He wears a Phrygian cap on his head. He looks upwards. He is flanked by Cautes, turned slightly to the right and Cautopates with crossed legs. Both of them are in Oriental attire, with an Amazon shield on their left. In the picture zone over the scene the busts of Sol and Luna, before them two protomes each, that before Sol with a raven. Among the gods four altars and three trees. - End of the 2nd century A.D. - 48,5x56x10,5 cm. - Sárkeszi, Mithraeum - SzIKM, Inv. no. 8640. T. NAGY 1950, 77-88. G.N. 187. Marble disc of Mithras In the middle, encircled by a narrow laurel wreath, the scene of the bull slaughtering. On the left in his usual oriental attire Cautes, turned slightly to the left, on the right side Cautopates with crossed legs. On the bottom of the medallion, divided in two inequal parts by a narrow moulding a snake. On the border of the disc scenes of a cosmological content, relating the deeds of Mithras. - First half of the 3rd century A.D. -Diam.: 25 cm; Th: 1,5-1,7 cm. - Sárkeszi, Mithraeum - SzIKM, Inv. no. 8641. T. NAGY. 1950, 56-77, 111. 8. G.N. 188. Altar Limestone. Simply moulded cornice and plinth. Inscription: Font[i d(ei)] I Sep(timius) Va\lenti\nus \ opt(io). - First third of 3rd century A.D. - 48x15x15 cm. - Sárkeszi, Mithraeum - SzIKM, Inv. no. 8637. T. NAGY, 1950, 52-53, No.l, 111. 4. G.N. 102