Cult of Serapis

The Cult of Serapis was an ancient Greco-Egyptian religious movement that emerged around the 3rd century BCE, combining elements of Egyptian and Greek beliefs. Serapis was a deity created to unify Greek and Egyptian cultures, embodying both Hellenistic and Egyptian spiritual aspects. The cult gained popularity in Hellenistic Egypt, especially under the Ptolemaic dynasty, with temples, rituals, and festivals dedicated to Serapis. It served as a form of religious fusion, promoting social cohesion and shared identity among diverse communities in the region. The cult persisted into Roman times and influenced broader Mediterranean religious practices.