CIMRM 1127 - Stele: Mithras rock-born, Cautes, Cautopates, Oceanus, all named. Nida / Heddernheim, Germany.

HD no: HD041976; Germania superior; Nida (Civitas Taunensium), now Heddernheim. 51 AD - 200 AD. Now in the Frankfurt-am-Main Arch. Mus. Photographed 2010 by Darius Franckowiak.

CIL 13, 07369. É. Espérandieu, Recueil général des bas-reliefs, statues et bustes de la Germanie romaine, (Paris - Brussel 1931) 104-106, Nr. 157; Fotos.

Caute // c(a)elum // Deo In(victo) M(ithrae) // p(etram) genetricem
// Senilius Car/antinus / c(ivis) Medio/m(atricus) v(otum) s(olvit) l(ibens) l(aetus) m(erito)
// sive Cracissius
// Caut(o)p(ate) // oceanum

Notes

At the top of the front is "Deo In(victo) Mithrae". In the middle of the front is "p(etram) genetricem". In the lower panel of the front is: "Senilius Car/antinus / c(ivis) Medio/m(atricus) v(otum) s(olvit) l(ibens) l(aetus) m(erito)". On the bottom of the front is "sive Cracissius". Senilius Carantinus (or Cracissius), a citizen of Milan, dedicated this.

On the left is "Caute" and "c(a)elum". (i.e. Cautes, and sky / heaven)

On the right is "Caut(o)p(ate)" and "oceanum". (i.e. Cautopates, and Ocean).

The Oceanus relief is discussed in M. Kohlert-Nemeth, Specificites locales des sculptures romains de Nida-Heddernheim pls XXXI-XXXIX, in: Hélène Walter(ed.), "La sculpture d'époque romaine dans le nord, dans l'est des Gaules et dans ...", p.77-78. This describes the Oceanus as a "singular" representation, gallo-Roman in nature. The opposite scene of the eagle is said to show Jupiter in the form of an eagle above the universe: the globe with the seven stars, i.e. planets.

CIMRM entry

1127. Stete in basalt (H. 0.94 Br. 0.30 D. 0.22) found in the centre of the cella. Wolff-Cumont, 59, 84ft and PI. I, la-le; MMM II 376f, i and figs. 289-291; Loeschke in TrH 316 fig. 5; Koepp, Germ. Rom., IV, 55 and Pl. XXXIII; Esp. Rec. Germ., 104ft No. 157 and fig. See fig. 293. The stele is decorated on three sides with reliefs; the back is partially rough. The reliefs are divided into two parts by a horizontal rim. A) The front has the form of an aedicola. In a niche with two Corinthian columns is the representation of Mithras' rockbirth. In his upraised hands a torch (l.h.) and a knife (r.h.); no Phrygian cap. The pediment has on its cornice an inscription, which is continued on the horizontal rim and on the pedestal. In the pediment a leaf ornament. CIL XIII 7369; MMM II No. 441. L.H. 0.025-0.03. D(eo) inv(icto) Mit(hrae) / Senilius Car/antinus / c(ivis) Medio/m(atricus) V(otum) s(olvit) l(ibens) l(aetus) m(erito) / Sive Cracissiu[s]. Cracissius: "Minime legere licet litteram s cum Cumontio"1 (CIL which for the rest gives an unacceptable explanation). In a horizontal rim: P(etram) genetricem. B) Left side: in a niche between two columns standing Cautes in Oriental dress and cross-legged. With both hands he holds the torch upwards. On the base a representation of an eagle with outstretched wings sitting on a globe with a thunderbolt in its claws. The sphere is divided by two ribbons and is decorated seven stars. In the pediment a rosette. In the horizontal rim: Caute On the base: Celum C) Right side: in a niche between two columns standing Cautopates in the usual dress and attitude with the torch downwards. On the base a representation of a reclining figure in long curly hair and beard. His l. arm leans upon a vase from which water pours forth. In his upraised r.h. he holds an anchor (Oceanus). In the horizontal rim: Caut(o)p(ati) On the base: Oceanum The three sides of the roof of the temple-like building are covered with tiles. On the four corners the heads of the wind-gods were represented only one of which is preserved. He has swollen jaws and has a diadem in his long hair.