Temple of Serapis

Serapis was an attempt to blend Egyptian and Greek culture under one joint deity, a deliberate act by Ptolemy I Soter in an attempt to legitimise his rule. Serapis, a god of abundance and resurrection, was Greek in appearance but with associated Egyptian symbology: the god had a 'modius' as his headdress - resembling a standard measuring basket of grain. It is possible that Serapis was a local god of Rhakotis, the settlement that became Alexandria, or the Babylonian Ea, as consulted by Alexander. Ptolemy III built the Serapeum of Alexandria, the greatest temple of Serapis in Egypt. The large complex even included part of the Library of Alexandria. The Serapeum was eventually destroyed during disturbances between Christians and pagans in AD391.