Hostname: page-component-7c8c6479df-8mjnm Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-03-28T00:09:23.071Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Mithras in Scotland: A Mithraeum at Inveresk (East Lothian)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 August 2016

Fraser Hunter
Affiliation:
National Museums of Scotlandf.hunter@nms.ac.uk
Martin Henig
Affiliation:
Oxfordmartin.henig@wolfson.ox.ac.uk
Eberhard Sauer
Affiliation:
University of Edinburgheberhard.sauer@ed.ac.uk
John Gooder
Affiliation:
AOC Archaeologyjohngooder@access-arch.co.uk

Abstract

Excavations to the east of the Roman fort of Inveresk in 2010 partly uncovered remains of a Mithraeum — the first from Scotland and the earliest securely dated example from Britain. A large rectangular sunken feature with lateral benches contained two altars buried face down at its north-western end. One was dedicated to Mithras, with iconography of both Mithras and Apollo as well as libation vessels. The other was dedicated to Sol, with a frieze above showing the Four Seasons. The Sol altar had a recess in the rear for a light which would have shone through his pierced rays, eyes, mouth and nose. Remains of an iron rod behind the nose hint at a more complex arrangement to create special visual or acoustic effects. Paint and plaster traces were recorded on both altars. The dedicator, G(aius) Cas(sius) Fla(…), a centurion, may have been in command of the garrison or of a legionary detachment. Stylistic links, especially in letter form, connect the work to sculptors of Legio XX. The stones and pigments are most likely from local sources. Little of the setting could be explored but there were traces of a precinct. A pit beside the Mithraeum included a large part of a well-used fineware beaker, which represented a deliberate offering. The Supplementary Material available online (http://journals.cambridge.org/bri) contains detailed descriptions of the altars, observations on the stone-working technology, lithology and pigment analysis, with extensive illustrations.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 2016. Published by The Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Footnotes

With contributions by ALAN BRABY, LOUISA CAMPBELL, PETER HILL, JAMIE HUMBLE, GRAEME LAWSON, FIONA McGIBBON, DAWN McLAREN, JACKALINE ROBERTSON, RUTH SIDDALL and R.S.O. TOMLIN

References

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Allason-Jones, L. 2004: ‘Mithras on Hadrian's Wall’, in Martens and De Boe 2004, 183–9Google Scholar
Anon. 1969: ‘Donations to and purchases for the Museum, 1968–9’, Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland 101 (1968–9), 292–7Google Scholar
Béarat, H., Fuchs, M., Maggetti, M., and Paunier, D. (eds) 1997: Roman Wall Painting: Materials, Techniques, Analysis and Conservation. Proceedings of the International Workshop, Fribourg 7–9 March, 1996, Fribourg Google Scholar
Biddulph, E. 2002: ‘One for the road? Providing food and drink for the final journey’, Archaeologia Cantiana 122, 101–11Google Scholar
Bidwell, P., and Speak, S. 1994: Excavations at South Shields Roman Fort, Newcastle Google Scholar
Bird, J. 2004: ‘Incense in Mithraic ritual: the evidence of the finds’, in Martens and De Boe 2004, 191–9Google Scholar
Bishop, M.C. (ed.) 2002: Roman Inveresk: Past, Present and Future, Duns Google Scholar
Bishop, M.C. 2004: Inveresk Gate: Excavations in the Roman Civil Settlement at Inveresk, East Lothian 1996–2000, STAR Monograph 7, Edinburgh Google Scholar
Blagg, T. 1980: ‘The sculptured stones’, in Hill et al. 1980, 125–93Google Scholar
Blagg, T., and Gibson, S. 1980: ‘The reconstruction of the arch’, in Hill et al. 1980, 153–7Google Scholar
Boppert, W. 2005: Corpus Signorum Imperii Romani: Deutschland II, 14. Römische Steindenkmäler aus dem Landkreis Mainz-Bingen, Mainz Google Scholar
Bosanquet, R.C. 1924: ‘Whitley Castle’, Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle-upon-Tyne (4th series) 1, 249–55Google Scholar
Breeze, D.J. 1982: The Northern Frontiers of Roman Britain, London Google Scholar
Breeze, D.J. 2002: ‘Roman Inveresk in its setting’, in Bishop 2002, 14 Google Scholar
British Geological Survey 2003: Geological Map – Edinburgh. Scotland Sheet 32E. Bedrock. 1:50 000, Nottingham Google Scholar
Brown, M.M. 2002: ‘Aerial survey and Inveresk’, in Bishop 2002, 516 Google Scholar
Bücheler, F. 1895: Carmina Latina Epigraphica, Leipzig Google Scholar
Clauss, M. 1990: ‘Die sieben Grade des Mithras-Kultes’, Zeitschrift für Papyrologie und Epigraphik 82, 183–94Google Scholar
Clauss, M. 1992: Cultores Mithrae, Stuttgart Google Scholar
Clauss, M. 2000: The Roman Cult of Mithras: the God and his Mysteries, Edinburgh Google Scholar
Collingwood, R.P., and Wright, R.G. 1965: The Roman Inscriptions of Britain I: Inscriptions on Stone, Oxford (reprinted with corrections 1995, Stroud)Google Scholar
Cook, M. 2004: ‘Howe Mire: excavations across the cropmark complex at Inveresk, Musselburgh, East Lothian’, Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland 134, 131–60CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Coombe, P., Grew, F., Hayward, K., and Henig, M. 2015: Corpus Signorum Imperii Romani: Great Britain I, 10. Roman Sculpture from London and the South-East, Oxford Google Scholar
Cossey, P.J., Adams, A.E., Purnell, M.A., Whiteley, M.J., Whyte, M.A., and Wright, V.P. 2004: British Lower Carboniferous Stratigraphy, Geological Conservation Review Series No. 29, PeterboroughGoogle Scholar
Coulston, J.C., and Phillips, E.J. 1988: Corpus Signorum Imperii Romani: Great Britain I, 6. Hadrian's Wall West of the North Tyne, and Carlisle, Oxford Google Scholar
Cunliffe, B.W., and Fulford, M.G. 1982: Corpus Signorum Imperii Romani: Great Britain I, 2. Bath and the Rest of Wessex, Oxford Google Scholar
Dore, J. 2004: ‘Roman pottery’, in Bishop 2004, 101–27Google Scholar
Eastaugh, N., Walsh, V., Chaplin, T., and Siddall, R. 2004a: The Pigment Compendium: A Dictionary of Historical Pigments, Amsterdam and London Google Scholar
Eastaugh, N., Walsh, V., Chaplin, T., and Siddall, R. 2004b: The Pigment Compendium: Optical Microscopy of Historical Pigments, Amsterdam and London Google Scholar
Gillam, J.P. 1970: Types of Roman Coarse Pottery Vessels in Northern Britain, Newcastle upon Tyne Google Scholar
Gillam, J.P., and MacIvor, I. 1954: ‘The temple of Mithras at Rudchester’, Archaeologia Aeliana (4th series) 32, 176219 Google Scholar
Göldner, H., and Seitz, G. 1990: ‘Ausgrabungen im römischen Groß-Gerau. Ein neues Mithras-Heiligtum’, Denkmalpflege in Hessen 1990.2, 28 Google Scholar
Gordon, R.L. 1994: ‘Who worshipped Mithras?’, Journal of Roman Archaeology 7, 459–74CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gordon, R. 2013: ‘“Glücklich ist dieser Ort …” Mithras-Heiligtümer und Kultgeschehen’, Imperium der Götter: Isis – Mithras – Christus. Kulte und Religionen im römischen Reich, Karlsruhe, 211–18Google Scholar
Graßl, H., and Hiden, I. 1983: ‘Fragment eines unbekannten Mithrasmedaillons’, Archäologisches Korrespondenzblatt 13, 105–9Google Scholar
Hanson, W.S. 2002: ‘Amongst the field systems I: Monktonhall’, in Bishop 2002, 5261 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hanson, W.S., and Maxwell, G.S. 1983: Rome's North West Frontier, Edinburgh Google Scholar
Harris, E., and Harris, J.R. 1965: The Oriental Cults in Roman Britain, Leiden CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Henig, M. 1984: Religion in Roman Britain, London Google Scholar
Henig, M. 1999: ‘Chester and the art of the Twentieth Legion’, in Thacker, A., Medieval Archaeology, Art and Architecture at Chester, BAA Conference Transactions XXII, Leeds, 125 Google Scholar
Henig, M. 2004: Corpus Signorum Imperii Romani: Great Britain I, 9. Roman Sculpture from the North West Midlands, Oxford Google Scholar
Hensen, A. 2004: ‘Das “zweite” Mithraeum von Heidelberg’, in Martens and De Boe 2004, 95107 Google Scholar
Hensen, A. 2013: Mithras. Der Mysterienkult an Limes, Rhein und Donau, Die Limesreihe – Schriften des Limesmuseum Aalen 62, Darmstaadt Google Scholar
Hill, C., Millett, M., and Blagg, T. 1980: The Roman Riverside Wall and Monumental Arch in London: Excavations at Baynard's Castle, Upper Thames Street, London 1974–76, London Google Scholar
Howell, H.H., and Geikie, A. 1861: The Geology of the Neighbourhood of Edinburgh (Map 32), London Google Scholar
Huld-Zetsche, I. 2000: ‘Orientalische Kulte’, in Wamser, L., Flügel, C. and Ziegaus, B. (eds), Die Römer zwischen Alpen und Nordmeer. Zivilisatorisches Erbe einer europäischen Militärmacht, Mainz, 241–5Google Scholar
Huld-Zetsche, H. 2001: ‘Der Mithraskult im römischen Germanien’, in Spickermann, W., Religion in den germanischen Provinzen Roms, Tübingen, 339–59Google Scholar
Huld-Zetsche, I. 2008: Der Mithraskult in Mainz und das Mithräum am Ballplatz, Mainzer Archäologische Schriften 7, Mainz Google Scholar
Hull, M.R. 1963: The Roman Potters’ Kilns of Colchester, Society of Antiquaries Research Report 21, London CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hunter, F. 2002: ‘Finds from Inveresk – glimpses of Roman frontier life’, in Bishop 2002, 7080 Google Scholar
Hunter, F. 2014: Bodyguards, corpses, and cults. Everyday life in the Roman military community at Inveresk’, Current Archaeology 294, 2831 Google Scholar
Irby-Massie, G.L. 1999: Military Religion in Roman Britain, Leiden CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jacquet, C. 2013: ‘La magie des instruments dans les myths grecs’, in Bonnemason, B., Bonvin-Pochstein, S. and Jacquet, C. (eds), Une Odyssée musicale, Toulouse Google Scholar
Keppie, L. 1998: Roman Inscribed and Sculptured Stones in the Hunterian Museum, University of Glasgow, Britannia Monograph 13, London Google Scholar
Keppie, L.J.F., and Arnold, B.J. 1984: Corpus Signorum Imperii Romani: Great Britain I, 4. Scotland, Oxford Google Scholar
Kleiner, D.E.E. 1992: Roman Sculpture, New Haven and London Google Scholar
Krauskopf, I. 1984: ‘Aplu’, Lexikon Iconographicum Mythologiae Classicae II, Zurich/Munich, 335–63Google Scholar
Krüger, M.-L. 1970: Corpus Signorum Imperii Romani: Österreich I, 3. Die Reliefs des Stadtgebietes von Carnuntum. I. Teil: die figürlichen Reliefs, Vienna Google Scholar
Kunze, F. 2015a: ‘Mithras in der Lagervorstadt’, Archäologie im Rheinland 2014, 109–11Google Scholar
Kunze, F. 2015b: ‘Mithras in der Lagervorstadt’, Archäologie in Deutschland 2015/4, 43 Google Scholar
Lambrinudakis, W. 1984: ‘Apollon’, Lexikon Iconographicum Mythologiae Classicae II, Zurich/Munich, 183326 Google Scholar
Lawson, G. 1980: Stringed Musical Instruments: Artefacts in the Archaeology of Western Europe , 500 BC to AD 1200, unpub. PhD dissertation, University of CambridgeGoogle Scholar
Lawson, G. 2005: ‘Ancient European lyres: excavated finds and experimental performance today’, in Hagel, S. and Harrauer, C. (eds), Ancient Greek Music in Performance, Vienna, 93120 Google Scholar
Lawson, G. 2008: ‘Representation and reality in the Late Roman world: some conflicts between excavated finds and popular images of Pan-pipes, lyres and lutes’, in Both, A.A., Eichmann, R., Hickmann, E. and Koch, L.-C. (eds), Studien zur Musikarchäologie VI: Herausforderung und Ziele der Musikarchäologie, Orient-Archäologie Band 22, Rahden (Westphalia), 179–96Google Scholar
Lawson, G. forthcoming: ‘Beyond the Hesperides: an Iron Age acoustical site and assemblage, including a wooden lyre bridge of the 4th century BC, from Uamh an Ard Achadh (High Pasture Cave) on the Island of Skye in Northwest Scotland. 1: Assemblage, organology, acoustics and the European context’, in Vorträge des 9. Symposiums der Internationalen Studiengruppe Musikarchäologie. Studien zur Musikarchäologie X, Rahden (Westphalia)Google Scholar
Leslie, A. 2002a: ‘The Roman fort at Inveresk’, in Bishop 2002, 1728 Google Scholar
Leslie, A. 2002b: ‘Amongst the field-systems II: Lewisvale Park’, in Bishop 2002, 62–5Google Scholar
Leslie, A. in prep.: Excavations at Inveresk Roman Fort 1991–2001 Google Scholar
Leslie, A.F., and Will, R. 1999: Inveresk Roman Fort: A Structures Report on Three Seasons’ Excavation at the Roman Fort, Inveresk for East Lothian Council, unpub. GUARD report, GlasgowGoogle Scholar
Lewis, M.J.T. 1965: Temples in Roman Britain, Cambridge Google Scholar
Manniche, L. 1991: Music and Musicians in Ancient Egypt, London Google Scholar
Manniche, L., and Osing, J. 2006: ‘An Egyptian lyre in Leiden’, in Hickmann, E., Both, A.A. and Eichmann, R. (eds), Musikarchäologie im Kontext. Archäologische Befunde, historische Zusammenhänge, soziokulturelle Beziehungen. Vorträge des 4. Symposiums der Internationalen Studiengruppe Musikarchäologie. Studien zur Musikarchäologie V, Rahden (Westphalia), 129–41Google Scholar
Manning, W.H. 1985: Catalogue of the Romano-British Iron Tools, Fittings and Weapons in the British Museum, London Google Scholar
Martens, M. 2004a: ‘The ritual deposits of the temple of Mithras at Tienen’, Journal of Roman Archaeology 17, 333–53CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Martens, M. 2004b: ‘The Mithraeum in Tienen (Belgium): small finds and what they can tell us’, in Martens and De Boe 2004, 2548 Google Scholar
Martens, M., and De Boe, G. (eds) 2004: Roman Mithraism: the Evidence of the Small Finds, Archeologie in Vlaanderen Monograph 4, Brussels Google Scholar
Mattern, M. 2005: Corpus Signorum Imperii Romani: Deutschland II, 13. Römische Steindenkmäler aus Hessen südlich des Mains sowie vom bayerischen Teil des Mainlimes, Mainz Google Scholar
Maxwell, G.S. 1971: ‘Inveresk Roman fort and extra-mural settlement’, Discovery and Excavation in Scotland 1971, 2930 Google Scholar
Maxwell, G.S. 1983: ‘Two inscribed Roman stones and architectural fragments from Scotland’, Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland 113, 379–90CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Merkelbach, R. 1984: Mithras, Königstein Google Scholar
Merkelbach, R. 1990: ‘Priestergrade in den Mithras-Mysterien?’, Zeitschrift für Papyrologie und Epigraphik 82, 195–7Google Scholar
Moir, D.M. 1860: The Roman Antiquities of Inveresk, Edinburgh Google Scholar
Naumann-Steckner, F. 2013: Lyra, Tibiae, Cymbala … Musik im römischen Köln, Cologne Google Scholar
Neighbour, T. 2007: ‘A semi-elliptical, timber-framed structure at Inveresk (the most northerly amphitheatre in the Empire?)’, Britannia 38, 125–40CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Nuber, H.U. 1972: ‘Kanne und Griffschale’, Bericht der Römisch-Germanischen Kommission 53, 1232 Google Scholar
Pavia, C. 1999: Guida dei mitrei di Roma antica, Rome Google Scholar
Petronius, , Satyricon (trans. Heseltine, M., 1913), Loeb Classical Library 15, Harvard Google Scholar
Phillips, E.J. 1977: Corpus Signorum Imperii Romani: Great Britain I, 1. Corbridge; Hadrian's Wall East of the North Tyne, Oxford Google Scholar
Pirling, R. 1986: Römer und Franken in Krefeld-Gellep, Mainz Google Scholar
Planck, D. 1990: ‘Ein römisches Mithräum bei Mundelsheim, Kreis Ludwigsburg’, Archäologisches Ausgrabungen in Baden-Württemberg 1989, 177–83Google Scholar
Planck, D. 1991: ‘Römischer Gutshof mit Mithras-Heiligtum’, in Heilbronn und das mittlere Neckarland zwischen Marbach und Gundelsheim. Führer zu archäologischen Denkmälern in Deutschland 22, Stuttgart, 184–90Google Scholar
Planck, D. 1993: ‘Mundelsheim’, Vor- und Frühgeschichte im Kreis Ludwigsburg, Remseck a.N., 291–9Google Scholar
Richmond, I.A. 1943: ‘Mithraism in Roman Britain’, Durham University Journal 36/1, 18 Google Scholar
Richmond, I.A. 1980: ‘A Roman fort at Inveresk, Midlothian’ (edited and prepared by Hanson, W.S.), Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland 110, 286304 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Richmond, I.A., and Gillam, J.P. 1951: ‘The temple of Mithras at Carrawburgh’, Archaeologia Aeliana (3rd series) 29, 192 Google Scholar
Rinaldi Tufi, S. 1983: Corpus Signorum Imperii Romani: Great Britain I, 3. Yorkshire, Oxford Google Scholar
Sauer, E. 1996: The End of Paganism in the North-Western Provinces of the Roman Empire. The Example of the Mithras Cult, BAR International Series 634, OxfordGoogle Scholar
Schmotz, K. 1999: ‘Ein Mithrasheiligtum in Niederbayern’, Das Archäologische Jahr in Bayern 1998, 94–6Google Scholar
Schmotz, K. 2000; ‘Der Mithrastempel von Künzing, Lkr. Deggendorf. Ein Vorbericht’, in Vorträge des 18. Niederbayrischen Archäologentages, Rahden, 111–43Google Scholar
Siddall, R. 2006: ‘“Not a day without a line drawn”: pigments and painting techniques of Roman artists’, InFocus Magazine: Proceedings of the Royal Microscopical Society 2, 1823 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Silva, C.E., Silva, L.P., Edwards, H.G., and de Oliveira, L.F. 2006: ‘Diffuse reflection FTIR spectral database of dyes and pigments’, Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 386, 2183–91CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Simon, E. 1984: ‘Apollon/Apollo’, Lexikon Iconographicum Mythologiae Classicae II, Zurich/Munich, 363466 Google Scholar
Swan, V.G. 2009: Ethnicity, Conquest and Recruitment: Two Case Studies from the Northern Military Provinces, Journal of Roman Archaeology Supplementary Series 72, Portsmouth, RIGoogle Scholar
Theune-Großkopf, B. 2010: Mit Leier und Schwert. Das frühmittelalterliche ‘Sängergrab’ von Trossingen, Friedberg Google Scholar
Thomas, G.D. 1988: ‘Excavations at the Roman civil settlement at Inveresk, 1976–7’, Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland 118, 139–76CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tomlin, R.S.O. 2008: ‘Roman Britain in 2007. III. Inscriptions’, Britannia 39, 369–89CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tomlin, R.S.O. 2011: ‘Roman Britain in 2010. III. Inscriptions’, Britannia 42, 439–66CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tomlin, R.S.O, Wright, R.P., and Hassall, M.W.C. 2009: The Roman Inscriptions of Britain III, Oxford Google Scholar
Tyers, P.A. 1996: Roman Pottery in Britain, London Google Scholar
Ulbert, C. 2004: ‘Das Mithraeum von Bornheim-Sechtem bei Bonn: Baubefunde und Fundumstände’, in Martens and De Boe 2004, 81–8Google Scholar
Vendries, C. 1999: Instruments à cordes et musiciens dans l'empire romain, Paris Google Scholar
Vendries, C. 2014: ‘ Plectrum, cithara et fistula. Des fragments d'instruments de musique dans la statuaire en marbre de Chiragan (Martres-Tolosane)’, Aquitania 30, 263–84CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Vermaseren, M.J. 1956: Corpus Inscriptionum et Monumentorum Religionis Mithriacae I, The Hague CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Vermaseren, M.J. 1960: Corpus Inscriptionum et Monumentorum Religionis Mithriacae II, The Hague Google Scholar
Vermaseren, M.J., and van Essen, C.C. 1965: The Excavations in the Mithraeum of the Church of Santa Prisca on the Aventine, Leiden Google Scholar
Weisgerber, G. 1975: Das Pilgerheiligtum des Apollo und der Sirona von Hochscheid im Hunsrück, Bonn Google Scholar
West, M.L. 1992: Ancient Greek Music, Oxford CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wheeler, R.E.M., and Wheeler, T.V. 1932: Report on the Excavation of the Prehistoric, Roman and Post-Roman Site in Lydney Park, Gloucestershire, Report of the Research Committee of the Society of Antiquaries of London 9, Oxford CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wiblé, F. 2004: ‘Les petits objets du mithraeum de Martigny / Forum Claudii Vallensium’, in Martens and De Boe 2004, 135–45Google Scholar
Worrell, S. 2008: ‘Roman Britain in 2007 II. Finds reported under the Portable Antiquities Scheme’, Britannia 39, 337–67CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wortmann, D. 1969: ‘Ein Mithrasstein aus Bonn’, Bonner Jahrbücher 169, 410–23Google Scholar
Wright, R.P. 1943: ‘The Whitley Castle altar to Apollo’, Journal of Roman Studies 33, 36–8CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Supplementary material: PDF

Hunter supplementary material

Hunter supplementary material

Download Hunter supplementary material(PDF)
PDF 6.2 MB