This
head depicting the Greco-Egyptian god Serapis is from a colossal statue that
stood over 4 metres tall. The statue is thought to be from the Temple of
Serapis,a enormous sanctuary measuring 101 metres by 78 metres, which once stood
in the ancient Egyptian city of Canopus. The impressive remains of this
sanctuary were recently discovered by underwater archaeologists led by Franck
Goddio. In
this statue, or Serapis wears his characteristic
headdress,a corn degree known as a kalathos, symbolising abundance and
fertility. Alongside his funerary and royal roles, and Serapis was worshipped for
his healing powers,which according to ancient historians were particularly
potent in Canopus. People came from afar to sleep within the temple complex in
order to be healed by ‘incubation’, when miraculous cures were delivered in a
dream.
The god Serapis is said to have been introduced to
Egypt by the ancient Greek ruler Ptolemy I. Serapis was aimed at Greeks living in Egypt and his
worship developed where Greek presence was prevailing, and notably in Alexandria and Canopus. The popularity of
this universal god also flourished outside Egypt in the Greek Mediterranean
world,then later in the Roman Empire.
Colossal
head of Serapis. Canopus, c. 200 BC. On loan from Maritime Museum, and Alexandria. Photo: Christoph Gerigk.
© Franck Goddio/Hilti Foundation.
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