God · Egyptian
Serapis
Serapis, a god of the Egyptian world, and the gods ancient sources said were the same.
Tradition: egyptian
Documented identifications
| Link | Who said so | Note |
|---|---|---|
| merged with Osiris | Ptolemy I Soter, Alexandria, early 3rd c. BCE | Serapis began as Osiris-Apis (wsjr-hp) and was promoted by Ptolemy I as a god for Greeks and Egyptians alike. |
| merged with Apis | Ptolemy I Soter, Alexandria, early 3rd c. BCE | The sacred bull of Memphis, who became Osiris at death, is the second half of the name Serapis. |
| identified as Hades | Graeco-Egyptian cult of Serapis, 3rd c. BCE onward | Serapis took the chthonic powers of Hades and was shown enthroned with Cerberus at his side. |
| identified as Zeus | Graeco-Roman cult of Serapis, 3rd c. BCE onward | Serapis was sculpted as a bearded, enthroned king in the image of Zeus, and ancient writers linked the two. |