The cult of the bull in Greece and Rome

This study aims to examine the bull cult that emerged during the Greek and Roman periods through archaeological evidence. It explores how the bull figure acquired sacred significance in these two major civilizations, how it was represented in various architectural and artistic contexts, and how it was employed in different ritual practices, using a comparative archaeological approach. The analysis focuses particularly on coins, figurines, ceramic artifacts, and other archaeological finds, revealing that the bull was not merely an animal depiction but functioned as a symbol of power, fertility, sacrifice, and divine will. In the context of Greece, the study evaluates the bull's role in the Minotaur myth as well as in the cults of Dionysus and Poseidon. In the Roman world, it discusses the bull within the framework of the Mithraic religion, taurobolium rituals, and the political iconography of the Imperial period. By contextualizing archaeological materials, the research clarifies the similarities and differences between the religious and social structures of both civilizations. It emphasizes the critical role of archaeology in understanding past belief systems through material culture, highlighting how sacred animal representations reflect worldviews, power dynamics, and religious practices. This archaeological investigation into the bull cult in Ancient Greece and Rome documents the evolution of cultic figures across time and space and underscores the importance of interpretive methods in archaeology.