taurobolium

American  

[tawr-uh-boh-lee-uhm] / ˌtɔr əˈboʊ li əm /

noun

• taurobolia
  plural

1. the sacrifice of a bull, followed by the baptism of neophytes in the blood, as practiced in the ancient rites of Mithras or Cybele.

2. Fine Arts. a representation of the killing of a bull, as in Mithraic art.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• taurobolia
  plural

Etymology

Origin of taurobolium

1690–1700; < Late Latin < Greek taurobólion, equivalent to tauroból ( os ) bull sacrifice ( taûro ( s ) bull + bólos a cast, throw, akin to bolḗ a wound, bállein to throw) + -ion diminutive suffix

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

taurobolium taurobolia

Prudentius, description of the taurobolium by, 558 Public works, mismanagement of, in Bithynia, 220 sq.; curator of, ib.; undertaken by private persons, evidence of inscriptions on, 225 sq.

From Roman Society from Nero to Marcus Aurelius by Samuel Dill

But the pair were united in the sacrament of the taurobolium.

From Roman Society from Nero to Marcus Aurelius by Samuel Dill

The details and effect of the ceremony were no doubt similar to those of the taurobolium.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 6 "Coucy-le-Château" to "Crocodile" by Various

The introduction of the taurobolium in the ritual of the Magna Mater, where it appeared after the middle of the first century, was probably connected with this transformation.

From The Oriental Religions in Roman Paganism by Franz Cumont

Mithra, growing power of, 386; the taurobolium a part of his worship, 556; alliance of, with Magna Mater and Attis, ib.,

From Roman Society from Nero to Marcus Aurelius by Samuel Dill

On the very spot on which the last taurobolia took place at the end of the fourth century, in the Phrygianum, stands to-day the basilica of the Vatican.

From The Oriental Religions in Roman Paganism by Franz Cumont