Zeus-Oromasdes

Commagene royal syncretic cult · deity · hellenistic commagene royal cult · deity

Zeus-Oromasdes is the head of the syncretic pantheon proclaimed by Antiochus I Theos of Commagene (r. c. 69-34 BCE). His double name fuses the Greek sky-sovereign Zeus with Oromasdes, the Hellenized form of Ahura Mazda, the supreme 'Wise Lord' and creator of Zoroastrian tradition. In the great cult-law inscription (the nomos) carved on the backs of the colossal throne-statues at the Nemrud Dağı hierothesion, he is enumerated first among the gods, occupying the central and most honoured seat. He embodies the religious-juridical sovereign function within the tri-functional ordering of the Commagenian gods, and the deified king is shown grasping his hand in the dexiosis reliefs that assert the ruler's reception into divine company.

Domains

Powers

Epithets

Relations

Sources

Open in the interactive app →