Serapis

Serapis, Egyptian god, worshipped also in Greece and Rome. He ruled the underworld and the universe and was lord of the Nile. He was a source of fertility and healing and gave the oracles speech. The god may have derived his traits and name from the more ancient gods Osiris and Apis. Osiris was also a fertility god, ruled the underworld, and associated with Isis. Apis was the earthly form of Osiris. The Ptolmaic rulers of Egypt (323–330 B.C.) built temples to Serapis and encouraged his worship.

See also: Mythology.