The Mithras Seal, a rare Roman-era artifact once held in Berlin, was transferred to Russia’s Pushkin Museum after World War II. Discover the journey of this cultural treasure.
What Is the Mithras Seal?
The Mithras Seal is believed to be a small carved stone or relief associated with the ancient Roman cult of Mithras, a mysterious god popular among Roman soldiers. These seals often depict the iconic tauroctony scene — Mithras slaying a sacred bull — and were likely used in ritual contexts or as tokens of initiation.
Wartime Transfers: From Berlin to Moscow
At the end of World War II, Soviet “Trophy Brigades” entered Berlin and removed thousands of artworks and historical artifacts from museums, including the renowned Altes Museum. These items were transported to the Soviet Union as wartime reparations.
Among them was the Mithras Seal, thought to have been part of Berlin’s classical antiquities collection. Though it disappeared from German records, evidence suggests it is now housed in the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts in Moscow.
Hidden in Plain Sight: The Pushkin Museum
The Pushkin Museum holds an extensive collection of classical antiquities, many of which were brought from Germany after the war. However, not all these items are publicly catalogued or properly documented. The Mithras Seal appears to be one of the lesser-known artifacts, quietly residing in the museum’s archives or rarely displayed galleries.
Cultural Legacy and Restitution Debates
The Mithras Seal is not just a valuable archaeological artifact — it is a symbol of ongoing debates about looted art, wartime reparations, and the rightful ownership of cultural heritage.
Germany and Russia have long disagreed on the status of such artworks. Some have been featured in joint exhibitions or digital archives, but many — like the Mithras Seal — remain in limbo, sparking interest among scholars and heritage activists alike.
