CIMRM 1593-1594 - Rockbirth with Saturn. Ptuj III, Slovenia.

1593. White marble stone (H. 0.74 Br. 0.51 D. 0.26) found near 6. Inv. No. 296. Abramic, 18lff No. 244 and fig. 12B; Mostra4, 719 No. 49; AIJ I, 149 No. 316 and fig. See fig. 408. The stone was given a rocky appearance and is concave at the back. On its front a very remarkable representation of Mithras's rockbirth. Cautes and Cautopates in Oriental dress assist Mithras at his rockbirth pulling him out by the arms. Mithras holds in his uplifted r.h. a knife and in his l.h. a torch. Above this scene a person in long hair and beard is reclining on the rock. The upper part of his body is naked. Beside him is a dagger (Saturnus). A Victoria flies towards him. In the bottom rim an inscription: 1594. L.H. 0.025. D(eo) S(oli) i(nvicto) M(ithrae) / pro sal(ute) officialium Apri prae/positi leg(ionum) V M(acedonicae) et XIII gem(inae) / Galli(enarum). Officiates are staff officers. Aper, the commander of both legions, is also mentioned in the following No. 1596.