Ostia Antica in Cittΰ metropolitana di Roma Capitale, Latium, Rome, Italy — Central Italy (Tyrrhenian Coast)
Mitreo di Felicissimo ⎯⎯⎯ Mithraeum of Felicissimus
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 5, 2025
1. Mitreo di Felicissimo / Mithraeum of Felicissimus Marker
Inscription.
Mitreo di Felicissimo, also, Mithraeum of Felicissimus. . Questo luogo di culto, dedicato alla divinitΰ orientale Mitra, fu impiantato nella seconda meta del III secolo d.C. in un precedente edificio di incerta funzione. Dotato originariamente di due podia (banchine) e di un altare, presenta un pavimento in mosaico, in cui sono rappresentati un cratere e un altare con fiamma, che rimandano all'uso dell'acqua e del fuoco nell'ambito del rito. Al di sopra sono raffigurati due berretti frigi, mentre il mosaico del corridoio θ articolato in sette scomparti che alludono ai gradi di iniziazione al culto e ai pianeti a essi collegati. Nell'ottavo scomparto ι invece l'iscrizione che ricorda il fedele (Felicissimus) che costrui l'edificio, il cui aspetto doveva essere simile a quello di altri mitrei ostiensi. , , The cult place, dedicated to the eastern god Mithras, was installed in an earlier building of uncertain function in the second half of the 3rd century AD. Originally equipped with two podia (benches) and an altar (no longer preserved), it has a mosaic floor depicting a krater (vessel) and an altar with a flame, alluding to the use of water and fire in the rituals. Above these are two Phrygian caps, recognizable from their characteristic shape. The mosaic in the corridor is divided into seven compartments referring to the seven degrees of initiation into the cult and the seven planets connected to them with their specific ritual objects. In the eighth compartment is an inscription naming the worshipper (Felicissimus) who built the mithraeum, which must originally have been similar in appearance to other mithraea in Ostia.
Questo luogo di culto, dedicato alla divinitΰ orientale Mitra, fu impiantato nella seconda meta del III secolo d.C. in un precedente edificio di incerta funzione. Dotato originariamente di due podia (banchine) e di un altare, presenta un pavimento in mosaico, in cui sono rappresentati un cratere e un altare con fiamma, che rimandano all'uso dell'acqua e del fuoco nell'ambito del rito. Al di sopra sono raffigurati due berretti frigi, mentre il mosaico del corridoio θ articolato in sette scomparti che alludono ai gradi di iniziazione al culto e ai pianeti a essi collegati. Nell'ottavo scomparto ι invece l'iscrizione che ricorda il fedele (Felicissimus) che costrui l'edificio, il cui aspetto doveva essere simile a quello di altri mitrei ostiensi.
The cult place, dedicated to the eastern god Mithras, was installed in an earlier building of uncertain function in the second half of the 3rd century AD. Originally
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equipped with two podia (benches) and an altar (no longer preserved), it has a mosaic floor depicting a krater (vessel) and an altar with a flame, alluding to the use of water and fire in the rituals. Above these are two Phrygian caps, recognizable from their characteristic shape. The mosaic in the corridor is divided into seven compartments referring to the seven degrees of initiation into the cult and the seven planets connected to them with their specific ritual objects. In the eighth compartment is an inscription naming the worshipper (Felicissimus) who built the mithraeum, which must originally have been similar in appearance to other mithraea in Ostia.
Erected by Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities.
2. Mitreo di Felicissimo / Mithraeum of Felicissimus Marker
12° 17.484′ E. Marker is in Ostia Antica, Lazio (Latium, Rome), in Cittΰ metropolitana di Roma Capitale. It can be reached from Viale degli Scavi. It is in Ostia Antica Archaeological Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ostia Antica, Lazio 00119, Italy. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, the Schengen Area, a coastal Mediterranean country, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.
Excerpt: "Behind the door is a small well (diam. 0.40). It is in a panel with depictions of a krater, symbol of the water, an altar with a burning fire, and two caps with a star, symbols of the Dioscures, who represent the two celestial hemispheres. In the panel near the back wall is an inscription with the name of the person who financed the shrine: FELICISSIMVS EX VOTO F(ecit)."
(Submitted on August 11, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 91 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on August 11, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
