Aion Chronos Mithras (copy of the original)

The sculpture depicts a replica of the god Aion-Chronos Mithras, found during excavations for the construction of the Plaza de Toros in Mérida, Spain, in the early 20th century. It shows the god emerging naked from a rock. This figure, notable for its stiffness and youthfulness, has its body entwined by a serpent coiled five times, revealing the genitals and chest, with a lion’s head positioned above. To the left of its legs, there is a tree trunk with an attached goat’s head. Additionally, notches can be seen on its head and shoulder blades, possibly for inserting bronze rays and artificial wings, respectively. Aion-Chronos-Mithras, also known as Zervan-Chronos or Mithraic Chronos, is a syncretic deity symbolizing infinite time, depicted through the serpent coils and the lion’s head. This god is significant in Mithraism, a mystery religion that spread throughout the Roman Empire. Followers of Mithras, the main god of this religion, were initiated into the community through a rite consisting of seven grades, each associated with a deity and a planet. The sculpture was found alongside other objects related to the cult of Mithras, initially suggesting the presence of a Mithraeum, a sanctuary dedicated to this god. However, subsequent excavations have not found structures confirming this hypothesis, leading to consideration that the sculptures may have been deliberately concealed at the site. Despite its incomplete state, lacking the head and arms, the interpretation of this figure is clear: Aion-Chronos Mithras represents the deification of eternal time, reflecting the Persian concept of “Zervan Akarana”. The serpent coiled around his body symbolizes the sun’s winding course on the ecliptic, as explained by Macrobius in his “Saturnalia”. This depiction of Aion-Chronos-Mithras is distinguished by the lion’s mask on its chest, a rare feature also found in another relief in Modena. Typically, Aion Chronos is depicted with a lion’s head, but Roman artists tended to soften its fierceness, replacing it with a human head and placing the lion at its feet or on its chest. The support to the left of the sculpture, resembling a rock formation, could symbolize the “Petra genitrix” from which Mithras was believed to have been born. This interpretation is supported by an inscription from the same sanctuary mentioning an “Ara Genesis”, referring to the miraculous birth of Mithras. In summary, the sculpture of Aion-Chronos-Mithras stands out not only for its artistic quality, superior to the average of the artworks adorning Mithraic crypts, but also for its rich symbolism and the historical-religious context it reflects. This discovery in Mérida is considered one of the most important of its kind in Spain and provides valuable insight into Mithraism in the Roman Empire.