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Philip I the Arab, February 244 - End of September 249 A.D., Roman Provincial Egypt
Ptolemy Soter integrated Egyptian religion with that of the Hellenic rulers by creating Serapis, a deity that would win the reverence of both groups. This was despite the curses of the Egyptian priests against the gods of previous foreign rulers (i.e Set who was lauded by the Hyksos). Alexander the Great had attempted to use Amun for this purpose, but Amum was more prominent in Upper Egypt, and not as popular in Lower Egypt, where the Greeks had stronger influence. The Greeks had little respect for animal-headed figures, and so an anthropomorphic statue was chosen as the idol, and proclaimed as the equivalent of the highly popular Apis. It was named Aser-hapi (i.e. Osiris-Apis), which became Serapis, and was said to be Osiris in full, rather than just his Ka (life force). Ptolemy's efforts were successful - in time Serapis was held by the Egyptians in the highest reverence above all other deities, and he was adored in Athens and other Greek cities.RX87837. Billon tetradrachm, Geissen 2713; Dattari-Savio 4910; SNG Cop 709; Milne 3553; BMC Alexandria p. 256, 1980; Kampmann-Ganschow 74.29; Emmett 3506.2 , VF, mild porosity, edge a little ragged, Alexandria mint, weight 12.265g, maximum diameter 24.6mm, die axis 0o, 29 Aug 247 - 28 Aug 248 A.D.; obverse A K M IOV ΦIΛIΠΠOC EVCEB, laureate and cuirassed bust right, seen from the front; reverse Serapis standing facing, head right, wearing kalathos, chiton, and himation, long scepter vertical in right hand, L - B (year 2) across the field; SOLD
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