Isis and Sarapis Flashcards
Was the cult of Isis Egyptian?
Mystery cults are Greek in origin - no evidence to suggest anything to the contrary
Prose - directly from the goddess, begins “I am Isis” (I. Kyme 41)
Mixture of Greek and Egyptian mythology: Hermes, Kronos, Osiris, Horus all mentioned
Goddess of fruit, fertility and harvest (similar to Demeter)
What are the main features of the cult of Isis?
Cult claims that Isis gives everything a worshipper could need (no reason to worship another god/dess in tandem)
“I divided the earth from the heaven” -
What characterises the Hellenistic period - universalism? Alexander, other Hellenistic kings - the belief therefore in one god rather than many would have aligned with the contemporary philosophy. Isis has a very strong connection to the sea
Isis devotees - Isiakoi
Who was Sarapis?
The Egyptian goddess, Isis and the Hellenistic god, Serapis, became symbols of Greco-Roman and Egyptian religious syncretism. The fusion of these religious beliefs marked the overall syncretism of the Hellenistic and Roman Period.
Link between Serapis and Apis (as Serapis was artificially created for the Greek market in tandem with the cult of Isis)? Osiris + Apis = Serapis…
Elements of Zeus? Some sources call him Zeus-Serapis
Where did the cult of Sarapis have a stronghold?
First Serapis sanctuary created in Alexandria - Ptolemaic dynasty responsible for his creation and the spread of the cult of Isis, although they did not act as missionaries
What archaeology is there for the Isis and Sarapis cult?
One of the sanctuaries has a division in the middle that was likely flooded
This might have embodied the nile where they could recreate mythical scenes etc.
There is also a slab which claims there was a statue or something dedicated “for Serapis, Isis and Anubis”
Another sanctuary in Portugal which is very confusing
What evidence of the cult of Isis/Sarapis is there from Portugal?
Inscriptions often next to holes (?) but no evidence as to their use - presumably had to be initiated to understand their purpose
Each inscription dedicated by a ‘highly regarded man’
One mentions Kore - “to the high god Serapis, with the one who is perhaps Kore”
Name 3 literary sources for Isis and Sarapis
Apuleius Metamorphoses; Delian Aretalogy of Sarapis; Juvenal, Satire
What does the Metamorphoses tell us about the Isis/Sarapis cult?
This is the only ancient Roman novel in Latin to survive entirely
It is focused around Lucius who is curious about magic, he is accidentally turned into an ass resulting in him looking for help. He finds salvation in Isis cult
What does the Aretology tell us about Isis/Sarapis cult?
Delian Aretalogy of Sarapis, dating to early 2nd century which might be propaganda:
Basically tells of a man who brought the cult from egypt and went to build a temple
He was trialled by wider society - maybe property dispute
He wins this and claims that the god is so powerful hence why he won
What does Juvenal say about the Isis/Sarapis cult?
Thinks the cult is a sham to make money
Indicates that most of the ritual is random
