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12. R E L I G I O U S G R O U P S<br />

3. I.e. initiated. See I2.5h(xiv) on the Lions and on initiation.<br />

4. This sum falls at the lowest end of the range of attested figures for building works in Italy.<br />

12.5c(vi) Soldiers and Mithras. On a small altar from a Roman military<br />

base at Bingium (modern Bingen, near Mainz in Germany).<br />

CIMRM1243; E. Schwertheim, Die Denkmäler orientalische Gottheiten im römischen<br />

Deutschland, EPRO 40 (Leiden, 1974) no. 108c.<br />

In honour of the imperial house, to the unconquerable god Mithras the altar was<br />

established as a result of a vow to the god 1<br />

at their own expense by Aulus Gratius Iuvenis<br />

Father of the rites and Aulus Gratius Potens, soldier of the XXII legion, Fire Officer. The<br />

brothers dedicated it when Africanus was consul .<br />

7154198; CIMRM1438<br />

1 'As a result of a vow to the god' was inscribed on top of an earlier text which read 'and<br />

temple'. This may suggest that the couple had originally hoped to pay for both an altar<br />

and a temple.<br />

12.5c(vii) Customs officials and Mithras. On an altar from Virunum<br />

(north-east of Klagenfurt in Austria), the original administrative centre of the<br />

province of Noricum (formerly a client kingdom), where there was an important<br />

imperial customs post. The cult of Mithras is often found among customs<br />

officials in the Danube region.<br />

See further: Beskow (1980); Piccottini (1994).<br />

For the well-being of the emperor, in honour of the divine house, to Sun unconquerable<br />

Mithras, Hilarus, ex-slave of the emperor, customs officer of the steward of the Norican<br />

kingdom "and Epictetus, cashier of our emperor, repaired the temple which had collapsed<br />

through age at their own expense, along with its painting, when the emperor our master<br />

Gordianus Augustus and Aviola were consuls , with the priest Licinius<br />

Marcellus as father [of the rites?]. Dedicated eight days before the Kalends of July ...<br />

12.5c(viii) The building of a Mithraic sanctuary in the Greek world. On a<br />

marble slab from Istros, modern Histria in Romania (A.D. 159-60?). The men,<br />

though mainly lacking the three names of Roman citizens, seem to have<br />

belonged to the local elite. Though the cult was not common in Greek cities,<br />

here at least it was of high standing.<br />

See further: Pippidi (1978).<br />

CIMRM2296; SEGXXVU.369; InscriptionesScythiaeMinoris\.\31<br />

Good Fortune. To Sun unconquerable Mithras. In the priesthood of Iuhos<br />

Severos governor 1<br />

the following contributed to the building of the sacred cave and<br />

displayed their piety, through the service of the pious Father Meniskos son of Numenios:<br />

310

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