Serapis: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Statue_of_Serapis.jpg|thumb|250px|A statue of Serapis in the | [[File:Statue_of_Serapis.jpg|thumb|250px|A statue of Serapis in the Library of Alexandria]] | ||
'''Serapis''' was a [[Greece|Greco]]-[[Egypt]]ian god worshipped in ancient Egypt. | '''Serapis''' was a [[Greece|Greco]]-[[Egypt]]ian god worshipped in ancient Egypt. | ||
Serapis was introduced to Egypt by [[Ptolemy I Soter]], the founder of the [[Ptolemaic Kingdom|Ptolemaic dynasty]], who sought to accommodate the beliefs of both Greek and Egyptian culture in order to avoid potential conflict, highlighting their similarities. To this end, he amalgamated the names of [[Osiris]] and [[Apis]], forming the name "Serapis".<ref>''[[Discovery Tour: Ancient Egypt]]'' – [[Tours: The Serapeion of Alexandria]]</ref> | Serapis was introduced to Egypt by [[Ptolemy I Soter]], the founder of the [[Ptolemaic Kingdom|Ptolemaic dynasty]], who sought to accommodate the beliefs of both Greek and Egyptian culture in order to avoid potential conflict, highlighting their similarities. To this end, he amalgamated the names of [[Osiris]] and [[Apis]], forming the name "Serapis".<ref>''[[Discovery Tour: Ancient Egypt]]'' – [[Tours: The Serapeion of Alexandria]]: "Creation of Serapis"</ref> | ||
==Influence and legacy== | ==Influence and legacy== | ||
By the 1st century BCE, the cult of Serapis was widespread across Egypt, with various towns and cities containing a temple or | By the 1st century BCE, the cult of Serapis was widespread across Egypt, with various towns and cities containing a temple, shrine, or statue dedicated to him, the most notable being the [[Serapeum of Alexandria]] and a statue in the city's [[Library of Alexandria|library]].<ref name="ACO">''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]''</ref> | ||
At some point before 48 BCE, the [[Sais]]ian [[blacksmith]] [[Sokar]] crafted a fine [[spear]] he named the [[Serpent of Serapis]] out of {{Wiki|Meteoric iron|meteorite metal}}, wrapping its shaft with water-hardened [[leather]], for one of [[Apollodorus]]' captains at his [[Apollodorus' Estate|villa]]. The captain was killed and the spear stolen by one of [[Sefetu]]'s men, however, and Sokar fled Sais fearing for his own life.<ref name="Fair Trade">''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]'' – [[Fair Trade]]</ref> | |||
In 48 BCE, Sokar met the [[Medjay]] [[Bayek]] of [[Siwa]], who heard the tale of the spear, and offered to find the [[thief]] and take back the spear. Appreciating his offer, Sokar let him have the spear.<ref name="Fair Trade" /> | In 48 BCE, Sokar met the [[Medjay]] [[Bayek]] of [[Siwa]], who heard the tale of the spear, and offered to find the [[thief]] and take back the spear. Appreciating his offer, Sokar let him have the spear.<ref name="Fair Trade" /> | ||
Around 48 BCE, the [[Cult of Serqet]] used a [[Shrine of Serapis|shrine]] dedicated to Serapis in northern [[Kanopos Nome]] to perform one of their gruesome ceremonies, guided by their 'mission statement' that deemed they should gather ''"facets of the four | Around 48 BCE, the [[Cult of Serqet]] used a [[Shrine of Serapis|shrine]] dedicated to Serapis in northern [[Kanopos Nome]] to perform one of their gruesome ceremonies, guided by their 'mission statement' that deemed they should gather ''"facets of the four gods—[[Sekhmet]], mistress of the desert, Serapis, lord of transition, [[Sobek]], lord of the [[Nile]], and [[Horus]], lord of the sky. Their followers will be initiated into our order in their holy places."''<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]'' – [[Taste of her Sting]]</ref> | ||
==Behind the scenes== | ==Behind the scenes== | ||
Revision as of 16:25, 13 October 2021
Serapis was a Greco-Egyptian god worshipped in ancient Egypt.
Serapis was introduced to Egypt by Ptolemy I Soter, the founder of the Ptolemaic dynasty, who sought to accommodate the beliefs of both Greek and Egyptian culture in order to avoid potential conflict, highlighting their similarities. To this end, he amalgamated the names of Osiris and Apis, forming the name "Serapis".[1]
Influence and legacy
By the 1st century BCE, the cult of Serapis was widespread across Egypt, with various towns and cities containing a temple, shrine, or statue dedicated to him, the most notable being the Serapeum of Alexandria and a statue in the city's library.[2]
At some point before 48 BCE, the Saisian blacksmith Sokar crafted a fine spear he named the Serpent of Serapis out of meteorite metal, wrapping its shaft with water-hardened leather, for one of Apollodorus' captains at his villa. The captain was killed and the spear stolen by one of Sefetu's men, however, and Sokar fled Sais fearing for his own life.[3]
In 48 BCE, Sokar met the Medjay Bayek of Siwa, who heard the tale of the spear, and offered to find the thief and take back the spear. Appreciating his offer, Sokar let him have the spear.[3]
Around 48 BCE, the Cult of Serqet used a shrine dedicated to Serapis in northern Kanopos Nome to perform one of their gruesome ceremonies, guided by their 'mission statement' that deemed they should gather "facets of the four gods—Sekhmet, mistress of the desert, Serapis, lord of transition, Sobek, lord of the Nile, and Horus, lord of the sky. Their followers will be initiated into our order in their holy places."[4]
Behind the scenes
While the name Serapis was an amalgam of Egyptian deities Osiris and Apis, in full he was a syncretism of them and some Greek deities as well, namely Hades and Dionysos. According to Plutarch the first statue of Serapis erected in Alexandria by Ptolemy I Soter was similar to that of Hades even including Cerberus because the Greek ruling class had little respect for animal-headed deities. That said, the statue of Serapis most commonly used in Assassin's Creed: Origins was also used in Assassin's Creed: Odyssey, albeit for Hades. It is based on a statue of Hades and Cerberus.
Gallery
-
A bust depicting Serapis -
A bust of Serapis
Appearances
- Assassin's Creed: Origins (mentioned and statue only)
- Discovery Tour: Ancient Egypt
References