Serapeum

The Serapeum or Serapeion of Alexandria was erected by Ptolemy III (reigned 246-222 BC) in honour of the god Serapis. Serapis was the result of syncretism between Hellenistic and Egyptian gods, and included elements of the Egyptian gods Osiris and Apis, with attributes of Greek gods such as Zeus, Helios, Dionysus, Hades, and Asklepius. Alexandria was the cult centre for Serapis, but the god was worshipped across the Roman empire. Excavations have unearthed the foundation deposits of the temple - two sets of ten plaques made of varying materials including gold, bronze, silver, faience, Nile-mud and glass. 

Very little of the temple remains after its destruction by Christians in the 4th Century AD, but it is possible to enter an underground chamber that contained the cult image and library. Artefacts from the temple are held in the Greco-Roman Museum.

Images

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