Definitions For Taurobolium

Noun

{{en-noun, taurobolia}} (historical, ancient Rome) The ritual slaughter of a bull.

Usage notes

The rite was practised from the 2nd to the 4th centuries CE. From the mid-2nd century, it became associated almost exclusively with Roman worship of cybele, an Anatolian mother goddess whom the Romans called magna mater ("Great Mother" [of the Gods]). Not to be confused with tauroctony, a modern term for ancient cult reliefs which depict mithras killing a bull.

Derived terms

taurobolic

Related terms

criobolium (ritual slaughter of a ram)

Translations

Catalan: tauroboli, m French: taurobole, m

Alternative forms

tauroboly

Etymology

Borrowed from {{bor, en, la, taurobolium}}, from {{der, en, grc, ταυροβόλιον}}."", on {{w, Merriam-Webster}} online.