Temple Reconstruction

Reconstruction of a Temple to Mithras


The reconstruction of the temple to Mithras in the Museum of Antiquities is based on the first temple at Carrawburgh on Hadrian's Wall.

The excavation of the Mithraeum in 1950 revealed the stumps of the oak posts which supported the roof and several wooden shingles from the roof. The wattle bench fronts were also found with traces of their covering of plaster. Enough fragments of wall plaster survived to suggest that the walls were painted but the scenes and the colour scheme of the temple have been based on the evidence from Dura on the Euphrates, Santa Maria di Capua Vetere near Caserta, Spoleto and other Italian shrines. The three altars, restored in this reconstruction, were found at the north end of the Mithraeum

The smaller items used in the reconstruction are based on the artefacts recovered during the excavations, also displayed in the Small Gallery. Even the heather carpeting, the leather cushions and the pine cone incense are based on archaeological evidence.

Mithras was the God of Light and Truth in ancient Persia (Iran) who was introduced into the Roman world during the reign of Nero. He was particularly popular with the officers of the Roman army but was also worshipped by traders and merchants as a god of contract and truth. Three temples to Mithras have been found so far on Hadrian's Wall, at Carrawburgh, Rudchester and Housesteads.

Publications:Daniels, C.M., Mithras and his Temples on Hadrian's Wall. (3rd edition, 1989; Richmond, I.A. and Gillam, J.P., "The Temple of Mithras at Carrawburgh." in Archaeologia Aeliana 4th Series, XXIX, (1951), 1-92.


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Last modified on 23.3.96


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