taurobolium

The taurobolium was a Roman religious rite, most notably associated with the cult of Cybele and Attis. It involved the sacrifice of a bull, the blood of which was used to cleanse and regenerate the initiate. The ceremony typically took place in a pit or trench, into which the bull was driven. The initiate would then stand above, often on a platform, while the bull was slaughtered directly overhead. The descending blood would shower down upon the initiate, covering them entirely. This ritual was believed to confer spiritual purification, spiritual rebirth, and sometimes even a prolonged life. Evidence for the taurobolium comes from inscriptions, archaeological finds, and literary references, particularly from the second and third centuries CE. While most strongly linked to the Phrygian cult of Cybele, variations of bull sacrifice existed in other Roman mystery cults as well. The precise details and theological interpretations of the taurobolium could vary depending on the specific cult and the period.