The architecture of Pannonian Mithraea and the Mithraeum of Savaria

Dobosi, Linda and Kiss, Péter (2025) The architecture of Pannonian Mithraea and the Mithraeum of Savaria. In: Archaeology of Roman Sanctuaries. Savaria Múzeum, Szombathely, pp. 61-93. ISBN 978‑963‑9827‑52‑3

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Abstract

The Mithras cult was very popular in Pannonia leaving archaeological traces in at least thirty settlements in the province, including sanctuary buildings from the late 1st to the early 4th centuries AD. From these the architectural remains of twelve are known in detail. The Mithras cult was a mystery cult practiced in secret by initiated members, therefore, its sanctuaries differed considerably from the Roman temples of other deities. Their architec‑ tural form involved an inconspicuous outer appearance and a typical ground plan of an anteroom followed by a tripartite cella with an aisle in the middle and two masonry benches called podia on either side. Most Pannonian Mithras sanctuaries conformed to this general plan with some formal variations. None of the shrines in Pannonia were built in natural caves, and only few against a hillside. The interior of mithraea often imitated caves and are believed to have been vaulted, but traces of actual vaults could only be observed in two cases.

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