Taurobolium - Revision history

Gnaeus Cornelius Lentulus: recat

2009-03-31T15:05:44Z

recat

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	<references/>		<references/>

−	[[Category:~~Religio Romana~~]]	+	[[Category:Roman religion]]

M. Lucretius Agricola: /* On Mithraism and the Taurobolium */ +links

2008-07-01T01:37:09Z

On Mithraism and the Taurobolium: +links

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	==On Mithraism and the Taurobolium==		==On Mithraism and the Taurobolium==
−	Many have come to confuse the Taurobolium with the rites of Mithraism. First and foremost, the image of Mithras the Bull-Slayer is known as the Tauroctony. The Taurobolium and the Tauroctony are two very different things. The Tauroctony is a mystical image that represents and conveys the Mysteries of Mithras. It was never an actual rite that was performed nor was there a Mithraic festival or ritual that was open to the public, Mithraism was a highly secretive cult <ref>See Turcan, Cults of the Roman Empire, p. 216.</ref>. Mithraic rituals took place in small narrow caverns beneath the land, thus it would be near impossible to fit a bull into the cavern, let alone sacrifice it in the manner of the Taurobolium. Mithraic caverns have only yielded the bones of pigs, goats, and birds <ref>See Turcan, Cults of the Roman Empire, p. 234.</ref>.	+	Many have come to confuse the Taurobolium with the rites of Mithraism. First and foremost, the image of Mithras the Bull-Slayer is known as the ''[[Tauroctony]]''. The Taurobolium and the Tauroctony are two very different things. The Tauroctony is a mystical image that represents and conveys the Mysteries of Mithras. It was never an actual rite that was performed nor was there a Mithraic festival or ritual that was open to the public, Mithraism was a highly secretive cult <ref>See Turcan, Cults of the Roman Empire, p. 216.</ref>. Mithraic rituals took place in small narrow caverns beneath the land, thus it would be near impossible to fit a bull into the cavern, let alone sacrifice it in the manner of the Taurobolium. Mithraic caverns have only yielded the bones of pigs, goats, and birds <ref>See Turcan, Cults of the Roman Empire, p. 234.</ref>.

−	Because of the similar imagery of the sacrificed bull, modern speculation has brought many to believe that the cults of the Magna Mater and Mithras were related and interconnected, even so much to say that priestesses of the Magna Mater cult performed the Taurobolium sacrifice so as to initiate new members into the Mithraic cult. First of all, scholarship has clearly yielded the fact that the Taurobolium was performed only by the hand of the Archigallus and no one else, male or female <ref>See [[Archigallus]]</ref>.	+	Because of the similar imagery of the sacrificed bull, modern speculation has brought many to believe that the cults of the Magna Mater and Mithras were related and interconnected, even so much to say that priestesses of the Magna Mater cult performed the Taurobolium sacrifice so as to initiate new members into the Mithraic cult. First of all, scholarship has clearly yielded the fact that the Taurobolium was performed only by the hand of the [[Archigallus]] and no one else, male or female <ref>See [[Archigallus]]</ref>.

	If we were to accept the idea that the Taurobolium was used as a rite to initiate men into Mithraism that would then assume Mithraism was a State-sanctioned cult with a templum, which it was not. Secondly, it would then assume that every Tauroboliatus was then by default a Mithraist as well, which then leads us to the fact that female Tauroboliatii would then also be Mithraists, which is not possible being that Mithraism was a male-only cult.		If we were to accept the idea that the Taurobolium was used as a rite to initiate men into Mithraism that would then assume Mithraism was a State-sanctioned cult with a templum, which it was not. Secondly, it would then assume that every Tauroboliatus was then by default a Mithraist as well, which then leads us to the fact that female Tauroboliatii would then also be Mithraists, which is not possible being that Mithraism was a male-only cult.
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	There is no historical source or reference that in any way connects the Magna Mater to Mithras, nor the Taurobolium to Mithras. However, being that both deities and the Taurobolium have roots in the Orient, it does aid in further extrapolation of the Taurobolium. In Mithraism, the Tauroctony depicts Mithras perched over a slain bull, who's gashed throat pours forth blood that flows upon the earth where grain, flowers and greenery sprign forth. This image firmly shows the life-giving properties that the bull's blood offers.		There is no historical source or reference that in any way connects the Magna Mater to Mithras, nor the Taurobolium to Mithras. However, being that both deities and the Taurobolium have roots in the Orient, it does aid in further extrapolation of the Taurobolium. In Mithraism, the Tauroctony depicts Mithras perched over a slain bull, who's gashed throat pours forth blood that flows upon the earth where grain, flowers and greenery sprign forth. This image firmly shows the life-giving properties that the bull's blood offers.
−

	==References==		==References==

Titus Iulius Nero at 21:06, 30 June 2008

2008-06-30T21:06:28Z

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	The date of an individual’s taurobolization was referred to as ‘natalicium’, or birthday. It was typical to describe the individual as being “in aeternum renatus”, or in other words being reborn/restored for eternity. According to Robert Turcan, the Latin ‘’aeternum’’ does not imply the Christian concept of transcendental life, but rather the idea of lasting durability. Thus, the bull’s blood renewed the individual and bestowed upon them lasting health and well-being, preserving them for up to 20 years. <ref> See Turcan, Cults of the Roman Empire, p. 52. Vermaseren, Cybele and Attis, p. 106</ref>		The date of an individual’s taurobolization was referred to as ‘natalicium’, or birthday. It was typical to describe the individual as being “in aeternum renatus”, or in other words being reborn/restored for eternity. According to Robert Turcan, the Latin ‘’aeternum’’ does not imply the Christian concept of transcendental life, but rather the idea of lasting durability. Thus, the bull’s blood renewed the individual and bestowed upon them lasting health and well-being, preserving them for up to 20 years. <ref> See Turcan, Cults of the Roman Empire, p. 52. Vermaseren, Cybele and Attis, p. 106</ref>

−	As we know, in Asia Minor the bull’s blood was thought to bring forth rain during a drought (see ~~‘’’History’’’~~ above), and in Mithraism the bull’s blood gave life to grain and flowers (see ~~‘’’On Mithraism’’’~~ below). Therefore, the blood of the bull is known to have regenerative and life-giving properties.	+	As we know, in Asia Minor the bull’s blood was thought to bring forth rain during a drought (see '''History''' above), and in Mithraism the bull’s blood gave life to grain and flowers (see '''On Mithraism''' below). Therefore, the blood of the bull is known to have regenerative and life-giving properties.

	The Taurobolium was not only performed for select individuals, but was also performed on behalf of the Emperor, the Imperial Family, the Senate, the army, the city and the people of Rome.		The Taurobolium was not only performed for select individuals, but was also performed on behalf of the Emperor, the Imperial Family, the Senate, the army, the city and the people of Rome.

Titus Iulius Nero at 21:05, 30 June 2008

2008-06-30T21:05:46Z

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	As we know, in Asia Minor the bull’s blood was thought to bring forth rain during a drought (see ‘’’History’’’ above), and in Mithraism the bull’s blood gave life to grain and flowers (see ‘’’On Mithraism’’’ below). Therefore, the blood of the bull is known to have regenerative and life-giving properties.		As we know, in Asia Minor the bull’s blood was thought to bring forth rain during a drought (see ‘’’History’’’ above), and in Mithraism the bull’s blood gave life to grain and flowers (see ‘’’On Mithraism’’’ below). Therefore, the blood of the bull is known to have regenerative and life-giving properties.
		+
		+	The Taurobolium was not only performed for select individuals, but was also performed on behalf of the Emperor, the Imperial Family, the Senate, the army, the city and the people of Rome.

	==The Rites==		==The Rites==
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	Ultimately, it would be odd for the Magna Mater to have any influence in who becomes a Mithraic initiate, for She alone gave the sign that a person is worthy of the Taurobolium, which gives the Roman citizen entrance into Her cult.		Ultimately, it would be odd for the Magna Mater to have any influence in who becomes a Mithraic initiate, for She alone gave the sign that a person is worthy of the Taurobolium, which gives the Roman citizen entrance into Her cult.

−	There is no historical source or reference that in any way connects the Magna Mater to Mithras, nor the Taurobolium to Mithras. However, being that both deities and the Taurobolium have roots in the Orient, it does aid in further extrapolation of the Taurobolium. In Mithraism, the Tauroctony depicts Mithras perched over a slain bull, who's gashed throat pours forth blood that flows ~~with~~ grain ~~and~~ flowers. This image firmly shows the life-giving properties that the bull's blood offers.	+	There is no historical source or reference that in any way connects the Magna Mater to Mithras, nor the Taurobolium to Mithras. However, being that both deities and the Taurobolium have roots in the Orient, it does aid in further extrapolation of the Taurobolium. In Mithraism, the Tauroctony depicts Mithras perched over a slain bull, who's gashed throat pours forth blood that flows upon the earth where grain, flowers and greenery sprign forth. This image firmly shows the life-giving properties that the bull's blood offers.

Titus Iulius Nero at 20:58, 30 June 2008

2008-06-30T20:58:24Z

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	*305-390 CE: the Taurobolium, being qualified by the verb “percipere” (to take in), specifies a new innovation in the rite itself.		*305-390 CE: the Taurobolium, being qualified by the verb “percipere” (to take in), specifies a new innovation in the rite itself.
		+
		+	==Soteriology==
		+
		+	The rite of the Taurobolium conferred upon the recipient the blessings of purification, preservation, health, and well-being.
		+
		+	The date of an individual’s taurobolization was referred to as ‘natalicium’, or birthday. It was typical to describe the individual as being “in aeternum renatus”, or in other words being reborn/restored for eternity. According to Robert Turcan, the Latin ‘’aeternum’’ does not imply the Christian concept of transcendental life, but rather the idea of lasting durability. Thus, the bull’s blood renewed the individual and bestowed upon them lasting health and well-being, preserving them for up to 20 years. <ref> See Turcan, Cults of the Roman Empire, p. 52. Vermaseren, Cybele and Attis, p. 106</ref>
		+
		+	As we know, in Asia Minor the bull’s blood was thought to bring forth rain during a drought (see ‘’’History’’’ above), and in Mithraism the bull’s blood gave life to grain and flowers (see ‘’’On Mithraism’’’ below). Therefore, the blood of the bull is known to have regenerative and life-giving properties.

	==The Rites==		==The Rites==
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	==On Mithraism and the Taurobolium==		==On Mithraism and the Taurobolium==
−	Many have come to confuse the Taurobolium with the rites of Mithraism. First and foremost, the image of Mithras the Bull-Slayer is known as the Tauroctony. The Taurobolium and the Tauroctony are two very different things. The Tauroctony is a mystical image that represents and conveys the Mysteries of Mithras. It was never an actual rite that was performed nor was there a Mithraic festival or ritual that was open to the public, Mithraism was a highly secretive cult <ref>See Turcan, Cults of the Roman Empire, p. 216.</ref>. Mithraic rituals took place in small narrow caverns beneath the land, thus it would be near impossible to fit a bull into the cavern, let alone sacrifice it in the manner of the Taurobolium. Mithraic caverns have only yielded the bones of pigs, goats, and birds <ref>See Turcan, Cults of the Roman Empire, p. 234.</ref>.	+	Many have come to confuse the Taurobolium with the rites of Mithraism. First and foremost, the image of Mithras the Bull-Slayer is known as the Tauroctony. The Taurobolium and the Tauroctony are two very different things. The Tauroctony is a mystical image that represents and conveys the Mysteries of Mithras. It was never an actual rite that was performed nor was there a Mithraic festival or ritual that was open to the public, Mithraism was a highly secretive cult <ref>See Turcan, Cults of the Roman Empire, p. 216.</ref>. Mithraic rituals took place in small narrow caverns beneath the land, thus it would be near impossible to fit a bull into the cavern, let alone sacrifice it in the manner of the Taurobolium. Mithraic caverns have only yielded the bones of pigs, goats, and birds <ref>See Turcan, Cults of the Roman Empire, p. 234.</ref>.

	Because of the similar imagery of the sacrificed bull, modern speculation has brought many to believe that the cults of the Magna Mater and Mithras were related and interconnected, even so much to say that priestesses of the Magna Mater cult performed the Taurobolium sacrifice so as to initiate new members into the Mithraic cult. First of all, scholarship has clearly yielded the fact that the Taurobolium was performed only by the hand of the Archigallus and no one else, male or female <ref>See [[Archigallus]]</ref>.		Because of the similar imagery of the sacrificed bull, modern speculation has brought many to believe that the cults of the Magna Mater and Mithras were related and interconnected, even so much to say that priestesses of the Magna Mater cult performed the Taurobolium sacrifice so as to initiate new members into the Mithraic cult. First of all, scholarship has clearly yielded the fact that the Taurobolium was performed only by the hand of the Archigallus and no one else, male or female <ref>See [[Archigallus]]</ref>.

−	If we were to accept the idea that the Taurobolium was used as a rite to initiate men into Mithraism that would then assume Mithraism was a State-sanctioned cult with a templum, which it was not. Secondly, it would then assume that every Tauroboliatus was then by default a Mithraist as well, which then leads us to the fact that female Tauroboliatii ~~were~~ also Mithraists, which is not possible being that Mithraism was a male-only cult.	+	If we were to accept the idea that the Taurobolium was used as a rite to initiate men into Mithraism that would then assume Mithraism was a State-sanctioned cult with a templum, which it was not. Secondly, it would then assume that every Tauroboliatus was then by default a Mithraist as well, which then leads us to the fact that female Tauroboliatii would then also be Mithraists, which is not possible being that Mithraism was a male-only cult.
−	Ultimately, it would be odd for the Magna Mater to have any influence in who becomes a Mithraic initiate, for She alone gave the sign that a person is worthy of the Taurobolium. There is no historical source or reference that in any way connects the Magna Mater to Mithras, nor the Taurobolium to Mithras.	+
		+	Ultimately, it would be odd for the Magna Mater to have any influence in who becomes a Mithraic initiate, for She alone gave the sign that a person is worthy of the Taurobolium, which gives the Roman citizen entrance into Her cult.
		+
		+	There is no historical source or reference that in any way connects the Magna Mater to Mithras, nor the Taurobolium to Mithras. However, being that both deities and the Taurobolium have roots in the Orient, it does aid in further extrapolation of the Taurobolium. In Mithraism, the Tauroctony depicts Mithras perched over a slain bull, who's gashed throat pours forth blood that flows with grain and flowers. This image firmly shows the life-giving properties that the bull's blood offers.

Titus Iulius Nero at 03:01, 30 June 2008

2008-06-30T03:01:58Z

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	{{LanguageBar\|Taurobolium}}		{{LanguageBar\|Taurobolium}}
−	[[Image:Magna_Mater_Temple_with_Bull_VRoma.jpg‎\|right\|Sacrificial Procession in front of the Temple of Magna Mater. Relief from the [[Ara Pacis Augustae]].]]	+
		+	[[Image:Magna_Mater_Temple_with_Bull_VRoma.jpg‎\|frame\|right\|Sacrificial Procession in front of the Temple of Magna Mater. Relief from the [[Ara Pacis Augustae]].]]
		+
	==History==		==History==
	The ''Taurobolium'', according to historical evidence, first appears in an inscription from [[Puteoli]], Italy in 134 CE in connection to [[Venus Caelestis]], otherwise known as the Syrio-Phoenician [[Astarte]] <ref>See Vermaseren, Cybele and Attis, p. 102.</ref>. Later in 160 CE we find a reference from [[Lugdunum]], Britain that commemorates a ''Taurobolium'' in connection to the [[Magna Mater]]. However, it has been agreed by scholars that ''Taurobolia'' were performed every 20 years, so our estimated earliest possibility for Taurobolia to be performed is 124 CE <ref>See Vermaseren, Cybele and Attis, p. 134.</ref>.		The ''Taurobolium'', according to historical evidence, first appears in an inscription from [[Puteoli]], Italy in 134 CE in connection to [[Venus Caelestis]], otherwise known as the Syrio-Phoenician [[Astarte]] <ref>See Vermaseren, Cybele and Attis, p. 102.</ref>. Later in 160 CE we find a reference from [[Lugdunum]], Britain that commemorates a ''Taurobolium'' in connection to the [[Magna Mater]]. However, it has been agreed by scholars that ''Taurobolia'' were performed every 20 years, so our estimated earliest possibility for Taurobolia to be performed is 124 CE <ref>See Vermaseren, Cybele and Attis, p. 134.</ref>.

Titus Iulius Nero at 02:58, 30 June 2008

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	::In this newer version, the rite takes place as a type of bloody baptism where the vires, or bloody powers, were taken into (percipere) the individual, thus conferring the bull’s life-energy to the individual, making him blessed.		::In this newer version, the rite takes place as a type of bloody baptism where the vires, or bloody powers, were taken into (percipere) the individual, thus conferring the bull’s life-energy to the individual, making him blessed.
		+
		+	==On the Criobolium==
		+	Many times the Taurobolium has been said to be performed in conjunction with the Criobolium, the sacrifice of a goat or ram. The Criobolium is typically considered by modern scholars to be performed for Attis, whereas the Taurobolium was performed for the Magna Mater <ref>See Turcan, Cults of the Roman Empire, p. 52.</ref>.
		+
		+	It is interesting to note that the combination of the Taurobolium and Criobolium nearly mimics the Suovetaurilia, which entailed the sacrifice of a bull, goat and pig. The Suovetaurilia was used in rites of lustration. Being that the Taurobolium and Criobolium oringinate from Asia Minor, the Galatian peoples of Pessinus abstained from the consumption or association with pork for their mythology concerning Attis stated He was killed by a boar <ref>See Roller, In Search of God the Mother, p. 245n 25.</ref>.
		+
		+	Thus, it is a plausible theory to see the Taurobolium and Criobolium rites as an Orientalization of the Roman Suovetaurilia, with the pig being absent since it was absent from the religious life of Pessinus.
		+
		+	Of course, this association is nothing but modern speculation.
		+

	==On the Vires and Substitution==		==On the Vires and Substitution==
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	If we were to accept the idea that the Taurobolium was used as a rite to initiate men into Mithraism that would then assume Mithraism was a State-sanctioned cult with a templum, which it was not. Secondly, it would then assume that every Tauroboliatus was then by default a Mithraist as well, which then leads us to the fact that female Tauroboliatii were also Mithraists, which is not possible being that Mithraism was a male-only cult.		If we were to accept the idea that the Taurobolium was used as a rite to initiate men into Mithraism that would then assume Mithraism was a State-sanctioned cult with a templum, which it was not. Secondly, it would then assume that every Tauroboliatus was then by default a Mithraist as well, which then leads us to the fact that female Tauroboliatii were also Mithraists, which is not possible being that Mithraism was a male-only cult.
	Ultimately, it would be odd for the Magna Mater to have any influence in who becomes a Mithraic initiate, for She alone gave the sign that a person is worthy of the Taurobolium. There is no historical source or reference that in any way connects the Magna Mater to Mithras, nor the Taurobolium to Mithras.		Ultimately, it would be odd for the Magna Mater to have any influence in who becomes a Mithraic initiate, for She alone gave the sign that a person is worthy of the Taurobolium. There is no historical source or reference that in any way connects the Magna Mater to Mithras, nor the Taurobolium to Mithras.
−

Titus Iulius Nero at 02:38, 30 June 2008

2008-06-30T02:38:09Z

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	Many have come to confuse the Taurobolium with the rites of Mithraism. First and foremost, the image of Mithras the Bull-Slayer is known as the Tauroctony. The Taurobolium and the Tauroctony are two very different things. The Tauroctony is a mystical image that represents and conveys the Mysteries of Mithras. It was never an actual rite that was performed nor was there a Mithraic festival or ritual that was open to the public, Mithraism was a highly secretive cult <ref>See Turcan, Cults of the Roman Empire, p. 216.</ref>. Mithraic rituals took place in small narrow caverns beneath the land, thus it would be near impossible to fit a bull into the cavern, let alone sacrifice it in the manner of the Taurobolium. Mithraic caverns have only yielded the bones of pigs, goats, and birds <ref>See Turcan, Cults of the Roman Empire, p. 234.</ref>.		Many have come to confuse the Taurobolium with the rites of Mithraism. First and foremost, the image of Mithras the Bull-Slayer is known as the Tauroctony. The Taurobolium and the Tauroctony are two very different things. The Tauroctony is a mystical image that represents and conveys the Mysteries of Mithras. It was never an actual rite that was performed nor was there a Mithraic festival or ritual that was open to the public, Mithraism was a highly secretive cult <ref>See Turcan, Cults of the Roman Empire, p. 216.</ref>. Mithraic rituals took place in small narrow caverns beneath the land, thus it would be near impossible to fit a bull into the cavern, let alone sacrifice it in the manner of the Taurobolium. Mithraic caverns have only yielded the bones of pigs, goats, and birds <ref>See Turcan, Cults of the Roman Empire, p. 234.</ref>.

−	Because of the similar imagery of the sacrificed bull, modern speculation has brought many to believe that the cults of the Magna Mater and Mithras were related and interconnected, even so much to say that priestesses of the Magna Mater cult performed the Taurobolium sacrifice so as to initiate new members into the Mithraic cult. First of all, scholarship has clearly yielded the fact that the Taurobolium was performed only by the hand of the Archigallus and no one else, male or female.	+	Because of the similar imagery of the sacrificed bull, modern speculation has brought many to believe that the cults of the Magna Mater and Mithras were related and interconnected, even so much to say that priestesses of the Magna Mater cult performed the Taurobolium sacrifice so as to initiate new members into the Mithraic cult. First of all, scholarship has clearly yielded the fact that the Taurobolium was performed only by the hand of the Archigallus and no one else, male or female <ref>See [[Archigallus]]</ref>.

	If we were to accept the idea that the Taurobolium was used as a rite to initiate men into Mithraism that would then assume Mithraism was a State-sanctioned cult with a templum, which it was not. Secondly, it would then assume that every Tauroboliatus was then by default a Mithraist as well, which then leads us to the fact that female Tauroboliatii were also Mithraists, which is not possible being that Mithraism was a male-only cult.		If we were to accept the idea that the Taurobolium was used as a rite to initiate men into Mithraism that would then assume Mithraism was a State-sanctioned cult with a templum, which it was not. Secondly, it would then assume that every Tauroboliatus was then by default a Mithraist as well, which then leads us to the fact that female Tauroboliatii were also Mithraists, which is not possible being that Mithraism was a male-only cult.

Titus Iulius Nero at 02:34, 30 June 2008

2008-06-30T02:34:52Z

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	Because of this, it is more than likely that after the cernus had caught the bull’s blood, the Archigallus raised the cernus above the individual’s head and then proceeded to pour it over his head.		Because of this, it is more than likely that after the cernus had caught the bull’s blood, the Archigallus raised the cernus above the individual’s head and then proceeded to pour it over his head.

−	==~~Deities~~==	+	==On Mithraism and the Taurobolium==
−	*[[Venus Caelestis]]	+	Many have come to confuse the Taurobolium with the rites of Mithraism. First and foremost, the image of Mithras the Bull-Slayer is known as the Tauroctony. The Taurobolium and the Tauroctony are two very different things. The Tauroctony is a mystical image that represents and conveys the Mysteries of Mithras. It was never an actual rite that was performed nor was there a Mithraic festival or ritual that was open to the public, Mithraism was a highly secretive cult <ref>See Turcan, Cults of the Roman Empire, p. 216.</ref>. Mithraic rituals took place in small narrow caverns beneath the land, thus it would be near impossible to fit a bull into the cavern, let alone sacrifice it in the manner of the Taurobolium. Mithraic caverns have only yielded the bones of pigs, goats, and birds <ref>See Turcan, Cults of the Roman Empire, p. 234.</ref>.
−	*[[Magna Mater]]	+
−	*[[Mithras]]	+	Because of the similar imagery of the sacrificed bull, modern speculation has brought many to believe that the cults of the Magna Mater and Mithras were related and interconnected, even so much to say that priestesses of the Magna Mater cult performed the Taurobolium sacrifice so as to initiate new members into the Mithraic cult. First of all, scholarship has clearly yielded the fact that the Taurobolium was performed only by the hand of the Archigallus and no one else, male or female.
		+
		+	If we were to accept the idea that the Taurobolium was used as a rite to initiate men into Mithraism that would then assume Mithraism was a State-sanctioned cult with a templum, which it was not. Secondly, it would then assume that every Tauroboliatus was then by default a Mithraist as well, which then leads us to the fact that female Tauroboliatii were also Mithraists, which is not possible being that Mithraism was a male-only cult.
		+	Ultimately, it would be odd for the Magna Mater to have any influence in who becomes a Mithraic initiate, for She alone gave the sign that a person is worthy of the Taurobolium. There is no historical source or reference that in any way connects the Magna Mater to Mithras, nor the Taurobolium to Mithras.
		+
		+

	==References==		==References==

Titus Iulius Nero at 01:46, 30 June 2008

2008-06-30T01:46:07Z

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	[[Image:Magna_Mater_Temple_with_Bull_VRoma.jpg‎\|right\|Sacrificial Procession in front of the Temple of Magna Mater. Relief from the [[Ara Pacis Augustae]].]]		[[Image:Magna_Mater_Temple_with_Bull_VRoma.jpg‎\|right\|Sacrificial Procession in front of the Temple of Magna Mater. Relief from the [[Ara Pacis Augustae]].]]
	==History==		==History==
−	The ''Taurobolium'', according to historical evidence, first appears in an inscription from [[Puteoli]], Italy in 134 CE in connection to [[Venus Caelestis]], otherwise known as the Syrio-Phoenician [[Astarte]] <ref>See Vermaseren, Cybele and Attis, p. 102.</ref>. Later in 160 CE we find a reference from [[Lugdunum]], Britain that commemorates a ''Taurobolium'' in connection to the [[Magna Mater]]. However, it has been agreed by scholars that ''Taurobolia'' were performed every 20 years, so our estimated earliest possibility for Taurobolia to be performed is 124 CE <ref>See Vermaseren, Cybele and Attis, p. ~~106~~.</ref>.	+	The ''Taurobolium'', according to historical evidence, first appears in an inscription from [[Puteoli]], Italy in 134 CE in connection to [[Venus Caelestis]], otherwise known as the Syrio-Phoenician [[Astarte]] <ref>See Vermaseren, Cybele and Attis, p. 102.</ref>. Later in 160 CE we find a reference from [[Lugdunum]], Britain that commemorates a ''Taurobolium'' in connection to the [[Magna Mater]]. However, it has been agreed by scholars that ''Taurobolia'' were performed every 20 years, so our estimated earliest possibility for Taurobolia to be performed is 124 CE <ref>See Vermaseren, Cybele and Attis, p. 134.</ref>.

	The origins of this sacrifice, we can speculate, take root in Asia Minor and the Middle East. Mesopotamian priests known as ''kalu'' were known to have taken part in bull sacrifice, in Crete and Asia Minor we know of various bull-hunting rites <ref>See Borgeaud, Mother of the Gods, p. 48.</ref>. In Asia Minor, specifically, it was considered a rite of fertility to cut the throat of a bull in times of drought to bring forth rain <ref>See Turcan, Cults of the Roman Empire, p. 228.</ref>.		The origins of this sacrifice, we can speculate, take root in Asia Minor and the Middle East. Mesopotamian priests known as ''kalu'' were known to have taken part in bull sacrifice, in Crete and Asia Minor we know of various bull-hunting rites <ref>See Borgeaud, Mother of the Gods, p. 48.</ref>. In Asia Minor, specifically, it was considered a rite of fertility to cut the throat of a bull in times of drought to bring forth rain <ref>See Turcan, Cults of the Roman Empire, p. 228.</ref>.