Asklepios, Helios, Hygieia and Sarapis in the Decapolis

The present study engages with four deities, whose veneration and worship were prevalent in the Decapolis in the Roman period: Asklepios, Helios, Hygieia and Sarapis. The discussion is based on the architectural, sculptural, epigraphic and numismatic evidence, as well as on small finds (gems).

Evidence for the veneration and cult of Asklepios has not been found so far in half of the cities of the Decapolis. The evidence available to date, seems to be limited to architectural, sculptural, epigraphic, numismatic and glyptic findings. Helios was venerated and worshipped, on his own or merging with other deities, only in a few cities of the Decapolis, based on the sculptural, epigraphic and glyptic evidence. The appearance of Hygieia in the cities of the Decapolis is very scanty, despite her role as goddess of health. Consequently, her veneration and worship do not appear to have been widespread. The data for the veneration and cult of Sarapis in the cities of the Decapolis is insufficient. The god was syncretised with Helios Megas, Zeus and perhaps with Hades / Pluto in some cities of the Decapolis. Nevertheless, it may be assumed that this syncretistic process was also disseminated in other cities of the Decapolis, in spite of the absence of any sort of evidence. Finally, despite the limited veneration of these deities, the various artistic media suggest that their cult existed in both the public (urban) and the private spheres in the Decapolis.