What do you do when you’re the king of Greeks and Egyptians, and you’re trying to help them get along? If you answered “invent a new god combining the biggest gods from each group,” you might be Ptolemy I Soter. (And if you are, we’d like to know—you’re what, 2300 years old now? Wow.) Serapis is a god, but he’s 100% made up, a combo of two great—and previously separate—things. Think peanut butter and jelly, but with Zeus and Osiris (and a helping of other Egyptian and Greek gods for extra goodness) instead.
Basic Information
Name
Serapis (Osiris-Apis, Wesir-Hap, Sarapi(s))
Nickname
The Unknown God, Osiris Reborn, Lord of Heaven, Big Beard, The New Boss
Rome is a big favorite in our household. Imaginative stories like Once Upon a Time are lots of fun. I had to stop watching Game of Thrones—it reminded me too much of work in Alexandria with all those Ptolemies. Duck Dynasty! Look at the beards! I’m in love.
Quotations
“I am the bull god.” – Kid Rock “The wine urges me on, the bewitching wine, which sets even a wise man to singing and to laughing gently and rouses him up to dance and brings forth words which were better unspoken.” – Homer, The Iliad “To cement a new friendship, especially between foreigners or persons of a different social world, a spark with which both were secretly charged must fly from person to person, and cut across the accidents of place and time.” – Cornelia Otis Skinner “When kingdom come, you ready?” – Jay-Z “Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful.” – Seneca
"Treasure" by Bruno Mars "Isis" is my treasure. "Sail": Only way to get north from Alexandria! (Sailing, not aliens like in this video.) "Sun King" by The Beatles: Is it about Ra, or me? No idea. I still like it. "Touch Me" by The Doors: Jim Morrison reminds me of Dionysus. Would’ve been a great drinking buddy! What a gorgeous voice Lana Del Rey has. I could listen to her all day, at least until Isis starts singing. I have a soft spot for classical music, too. Have you ever listened to Tchaikovsky? The "Waltz of the Flowers" from the Nutcracker Suite is beyond beautiful. "Best Song Ever" by One Direction: Is it the best song ever? No. But it is catchy. "Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag" by James Brown: I have a brand new hat. Does that count?
Movies
Alexander You’re right: It's a terrible movie. These actors are far more entertaining (and beautiful) than the people they play. Troy What can I say? Isis and I love to watch the prettiest fall of Troy story ever. Harpocrates (Horus the Younger, for you Egyptians) loves to watch the Percy Jackson films, and, well, we’re happy to watch them with him. I wish we had something like Monsters University to send Cerberus to. Then again, he doesn’t seem to have a problem being scary. Pinocchio Like Pinocchio, I wished to be a real boy when I grew up. Ptolemy I Soter gave me my dream. The Scorpion King Kingship, Egyptian-style. I wanted to try out for The Avengers, but they already had a god on the team.
Activities & Interests
Likes
Craft beers Greeks and Romans Lasagna Hiking with my son, Harpocrates Diplomacy
Interests
World peace Exotic pets Syncretic gods Beards Opera
