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An extract from the
BULLETIN OF THE ASSOCIATES IN FINE ARTS AT YALE UNIVERSITY

THE MITHRĈUM OF DURA-EUROPOS ON THE EUPHRATES

THE systematic work of exploration at Dura-Europos carried on for ten consecutive years (1928-37) by the Yale Dura Expedition in collaboration with the French Academy of Inscriptions ...
The most spectacular discoveries, now known far and wide in the learned world, are without doubt those of three religious buildings, all three excellently preserved and adorned with interesting mural paintings. I mean the Christian Chapel found in 1931-32, the Jewish Synagogue discovered in 1932-33, and the Mithraeum explored in 1933-34 and 1934-35. All these buildings were erected at about the same time (third century a.d.) and in the same region of the city (along the monumental city wall on the desert side). These buildings were not left in situ (their preservation if restored on the spot could not be assured) but were transported, the Synagogue to Damascus, the most important parts of the Christian Chapel and of the Mithraeum to Yale. All three have been reerected and partly restored, the Synagogue in the new building of the National Museum at Damascus, the Christian Chapel and the most important part of the Mithraeum in the Yale Gallery of Fine Arts by the joint efforts of the members of the Yale Dura Expedition, of the Service of Antiquities of Syria, and of the Yale Gallery.


The Hunting Scene from the Side Wall of the Mithrĉum
Showing Mithras shooting game aided by the lion and the serpent


The Niche of the Mithrĉum Before It Was Removed from Dura-Europos


The Niche of the Mithrĉum as it is Now Installed in the Gallery of Fine Arts
Compare this to the present installation of the Niche of the Mithraeum at Yale University Art Gallery.

Source: M. I. Rostovtzeff, "The Mithrĉum of Dura-Europos on the Euphrates", pp. 3-10 in the Bulletin Of The Associates In Fine Arts At Yale University, Vol. 9, No. 1 (Jun., 1939)



See also Palmyrene Horsearcher Hunting, Left Side of Shrine to the God Mithras (Mithraeum), Dura Europos, Syria. c.240AD Mural. Yale University Art Gallery.
Other Ancient Illustrations of Costume and Soldiers.






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