Tricia's+Timeline

Hello All- I'm having some difficulty in editing my font and color, so please bear with me. The Cult of Serapis covered an expansive region from Alexandria to Rome, directly influencing the daily lives of the citizens living under the umbrella of these empires. The cult formed as a consequential result of Alexanders occupation of Egypt and exemplifies the diety fusion which was an organic response to the intercultural migration. For a birds eye view of history--it is important to have a working grasp of the major historical events that influenced the empires and thus changed the destiny of the world and the birth of Christianity. Enjoy!


 * __Overview of Roman Empire__**

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__**Alexander the Great Influence**__ []

__**Overview of Egyptian Empire**__ []

__**Summary of Christianity**__ __**[]**__

What struck me about this "summary timeline of Christianity" (immediately above) is that it begins with the "birth of Jesus" and so misses entirely the connection with the Mystery Religions. In fact, the timeline above also misses the Hebrew Old Testament without which there would be no Messiah. And what about the Greek philosophers without whom there would be no "logos" - no language in which the Word could be spread. And how about Alexander who put together an empire where the missionary Paul could travel freely?.......This is a good example of naive literalism that can lead to faith as a form of arrogance because this sense of time does not perceive its own ignorance. .

As part of the worship in the cult of Serapis, large temples called Serapeums were built. The largest was part of the Great Library in Alexandria. How unforunatne for humanity that this incredible epicenter was destroyed!! For an interesting peak into the great library and the influence of Alexandria on commerce, culture, etc. please click on the following: []

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 * __Inside Serapis temple ruins in Ostia (outside Rome)__**

The cult of Serapis/Isis can be viewed through the lens of the primal, emerging and consolidated constructs of the mystery religions. In the primal phase--the cult provided a hope for cures for survival-in other words //a hope to stay alive//. The sick were placed in the serapeum's incubation chambers to recieve divine knowledge/wisdom to heal their ailments. In this aspect, it provided a hope for survival akin to what you see in the natural cult religions. The cult/worship of the mystical union of Serapis/Isis shifted into an emerging construct when it transitioned into providing a psychic hope for iniatiates. This was the promise of immortality, a hope for a life beyond the reality of mundane existence. As Serapis inherited the traits of Osiris, he was viewed as having mastery of the underworld and could provide immortality for those hopeful and pure seekers. Although, the cult did not obtain a formal doctrine/dogma to be considered a consolidated mystery religion. The cult co-existed alongside Christianity and more than likely greatly influenced the original Christians and the early Gnostics conception of Jesus Christ.