taurobolium

American  

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

noun

plural

taurobolia

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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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

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 Cumont, Franz

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

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

From Roman Society from Nero to Marcus Aurelius by Dill, Samuel

It was maintained that the sanguinary purification imparted by the taurobolium was more efficacious than baptism.

From The Oriental Religions in Roman Paganism by Cumont, Franz

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 Dill, Samuel