This sign near the train station in Bad Deutsch-Altenburg gives you directions. Head for
Museum Carnuntinum (the old museum) in the village (1.1 km), and head for the military
amphitheatre just outside the village (1.8 km). Further west, in Petronell-Carnuntum,
you can visit the new open-air museum (4.7 km), the civilian amphitheatre (5.4 km),
and the monumental gate (Heidentor) (6.8 km).
Museum Carnuntinum (the old museum) in the village (1.1 km), and head for the military
amphitheatre just outside the village (1.8 km). Further west, in Petronell-Carnuntum,
you can visit the new open-air museum (4.7 km), the civilian amphitheatre (5.4 km),
and the monumental gate (Heidentor) (6.8 km).
Museum Carnuntinum (the old museum) is located on the southern bank of the River Danube.
The museum is designed by architects Friedrich Ohmann and August Kirstein.
The museum was officially opened by Emperor Franz Joseph on 27 May 1904.
This poster outside the museum gives information in three languages about the Roman
Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Unfortunately, not everything written on the poster is correct.
Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Unfortunately, not everything written on the poster is correct.
We are told Marcus Aurelius died in Vindobona (Vienna) in AD 181. In fact,
we do not know where this emperor died. But we do know when he died: in 180 (not 181).
we do not know where this emperor died. But we do know when he died: in 180 (not 181).
The German version (on the left) is better than the English version (in the middle),
which is incomplete.
which is incomplete.
Three stone altars on display in the museum.
The altar on the left was erected by Titus Flavius Verecundus, a centurion of Legion XIV,
who came from Claudia Savaria (today Szombathely in Hungary). He wanted to
pay tribute to Mithras the unconquered god and perhaps to Cautopates
The Latin text (CIL 03 - 04416):
Deo Invicto Mithrae Cautopate (?)
Titus FLAVIUS // VERECUNDUS
CLaudia SAVARIA
> LEGionis XIIII // Geminae Martiae Victricis
Votum Solvit Libens Laetus Merito
who came from Claudia Savaria (today Szombathely in Hungary). He wanted to
pay tribute to Mithras the unconquered god and perhaps to Cautopates
The Latin text (CIL 03 - 04416):
Deo Invicto Mithrae Cautopate (?)
Titus FLAVIUS // VERECUNDUS
CLaudia SAVARIA
> LEGionis XIIII // Geminae Martiae Victricis
Votum Solvit Libens Laetus Merito
The altar in the middle was erected by Adlectus, a slave, who wanted to pay
tribute to Mithras, unconquered god and creator of light (genitor luminis).
The Latin text (CIL 03 - 04414):
Deo Invicto Mithrae
ADLECtus
SERvus Titi C ? V ?
GENitori LUMinis
Votum Solvit Libens Laetus Merito
tribute to Mithras, unconquered god and creator of light (genitor luminis).
The Latin text (CIL 03 - 04414):
Deo Invicto Mithrae
ADLECtus
SERvus Titi C ? V ?
GENitori LUMinis
Votum Solvit Libens Laetus Merito
The altar on the right was erected by the priest Publius Aelius Nigrinus,
who wanted to pay tribute to the goddess Petra Genetrix.
The Latin text (CIL 03 - 04424):
PETRAE // GENETRICI
Publius AElius NIGRI- // NUS SACERDOS
Votum Solvit
who wanted to pay tribute to the goddess Petra Genetrix.
The Latin text (CIL 03 - 04424):
PETRAE // GENETRICI
Publius AElius NIGRI- // NUS SACERDOS
Votum Solvit
Two statues of Jupiter Dolichenus.
The statue on the left side, which shows Jupiter standing on a bull,
was erected by Atilius Primus, a centurion of Legion XIV.
The Latin text (CIL 03 - 11129):
Iovi Optimo Maximo // DOLICENo
ATILIUS // PRIMUS
> LEGionis // XIIII // Geminae
EX EVOCATO LEGionis X Geminae Piae Fidelis
EX VISO // PRO SALUTE [sua] // ET SUORUM
Votum Solvit Libens Laetus Merito
DOMO SERGIA MARSIS
was erected by Atilius Primus, a centurion of Legion XIV.
The Latin text (CIL 03 - 11129):
Iovi Optimo Maximo // DOLICENo
ATILIUS // PRIMUS
> LEGionis // XIIII // Geminae
EX EVOCATO LEGionis X Geminae Piae Fidelis
EX VISO // PRO SALUTE [sua] // ET SUORUM
Votum Solvit Libens Laetus Merito
DOMO SERGIA MARSIS
The statue on the right side is placed on a base, which was erected by
Gajus Spurius Silvanus, centurion of Legion X Gemina
and Valeria Digna (his wife?).
The Latin text (CIL 03 - 11134):
Iovi Optimo Maximo // DOLICHENO
PRO SALute IMPeratoris
CAESaris Marci AURelii COMModi
AUGusti Gajus SPURIUS // SILVANUS > LEGionis X Geminae
ET VALeria DIGNA
Votum Solverunt Libentes Merito
Gajus Spurius Silvanus, centurion of Legion X Gemina
and Valeria Digna (his wife?).
The Latin text (CIL 03 - 11134):
Iovi Optimo Maximo // DOLICHENO
PRO SALute IMPeratoris
CAESaris Marci AURelii COMModi
AUGusti Gajus SPURIUS // SILVANUS > LEGionis X Geminae
ET VALeria DIGNA
Votum Solverunt Libentes Merito
Mithras killing the bull, a total view of the relief erected by Titus Flavius Viator.
The colours are added by a special laser light system,
which is turned on and off with short intervals.
which is turned on and off with short intervals.
The left side of the relief shows Cautopates: his torch is down,
because he is a symbol of the night.
The right side of the relief shows Cautes: his torch is raised,
because he is a symbol of the the day.
In the bottom right corner we can see a snake and a dog.
These two animals are helping Mithras in his struggle with the bull.
This altar dedicated to Fortuna Karnuntina was erected by Gajus Julius Florentinus,
who was a priest (antistes) for the cult of the goddess.
The Latin text:
FORTunae KARNuntinae
Cajus IULius FLO- // RENTinus AN- // TISTes DEAE
Votum Solvit Libens Laetus
who was a priest (antistes) for the cult of the goddess.
The Latin text:
FORTunae KARNuntinae
Cajus IULius FLO- // RENTinus AN- // TISTes DEAE
Votum Solvit Libens Laetus
In English:
"To Fortuna Karnuntina. Gajus Julius Florentinus, priest of the goddess,
has willingly and cheerfully fulfilled his vow."
PS. This altar and the inscription is discussed by Michael B. Hornum in his book
Nemesis, the Roman State, and the Games (1993) pp. 164-165.
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