ZEUS SARAPIS,  GOD OF THE GRAIN SUPPLY, AND OF THE UNDERWORLD

In the Hellenistic Period, considerable changes occurred in religion. Leaders permitted themselves to be adored like gods on earth, the cults of local heroes revived and new deities were introduced, often to serve a politico-cultural purpose. A good example of the latter type of god is Sarapis, a combined Egyptian-Greek god, who was introduced by Ptolemy I, the first Ptolemiac king of Egypt (304–283 BC). He aimed at creating a new god who would serve as the main god for both the indigenous Egyptian population and the Greek immigrants in Egypt. To this end he combined Egyptian gods, Osiris and Apis, with Greek gods Zeus, Hades, Helios and Dionysos. Osiris was the god of resurrection and king of the dead. Apis was the sacred bull of Memphis. Zeus and Hades were the main Greek gods of the upper and underworld. Helios was the sun-god and Dionysos was linked with fertility. The new deity was called Sarapis.

According to some ancient writers, the Greek sculptor Bryaxis (fourth century BC) designed the first image of the new god. The prototype for many copies, the original statue stood in the new capital Alexandria until it was destroyed in 391 AD, when for the first time Christianity was proclaimed state religion. It consisted of a wooden kernel covered with six different types of metal encrusted with gems and was said to contain the ashes of Osiris-Apis. Its features were based on those of the Greek Zeus, a bearded elderly man radiating his authority as main god of the pantheon. On top of his head was a modius (grain measure), symbol of the underworld and realm of Hades. The five long curls on his forehead are characteristic of Sarapis. In some reproductions of the image the number of curls was reduced to three. 

Zeus-Sarapis became very popular. His temples, referred to as Serapea, sprang up not only in Egypt, but also far into the West and contained cult images resembling Bryaxis' original. Together with Isis, Sarapis was among the gods most revered in the Roman Empire.

This bearded statue represents Zeus-Sarapis in a style which recalls the original. There are remnants of a modius on his head and five curls on his forehead, while the rest of his hair falls along the sides of his face down to the shoulders. The beard which curls onto his neck surrounds the entire face. The god is dressed in a chiton (light garment) and a himation (a cloak) is draped over his shoulders. The figure was made as a bust.

Alabaster

Roman Imperial Period, 27 BC–395 AD

Provenance Unknown

Acquired in the Papenbroek bequest, 1745

Height 18 cm, Width 17.2 cm

Inventory no. Pb 122

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