TYPE: God
ORIGIN: Late Egyptian
INFORMATION: Known only from the Greco-Roman period of the early Ptolemys (fourth century BCE) but persisting in Europe until second or third century CE. In Egyptian religion Sarapis is a hybridization of certain aspects of Osiris, the underworld god, and Apis the bull god, who symbolizes the earthly presence of Ptah. Sarapis is perceived to epitomize both the fertility of the land and the life of the sacred bull after death. In Greek mythology he takes on aspects of Zeus, Helios, Asklepios, and Dionysos. He was worshiped extensively in the Roman Empire period. A sanctuary at York in England was dedicated by a soldier of the sixth legion, and magnificent statues were discovered in the Walbrook Mithraeum in London, and at Merida in Spain. ALso Seraphis (Greek)