Derzelas, also called Darzelas and Derzis,[1] was a Dacian or Thracian chthonic[2] god of abundance, the underworld, health, and human spirit's vitality.[3][4] Derzelas was associated with the Roman Pluto and the Orphic Dionysus[2] and was one of the many gods associated with the Thracian Horseman.[5]
| Derzelas | |
|---|---|
Great God of Odessos God of abundance, the underworld, health, and human spirit's vitality | |
.jpg) A coin depicting Theos Megas holding a patera over an altar in his right hand and a cornucopia in his left | |
| Venerated in | Odessos |
| Equivalents | |
| Greek | Orphic Dionysus |
| Roman | Pluto |
During Roman rule of Dacia, Derzelas became associated with the Great God of Odessos (modern Varna), and thus was called Theos Megas Darzalas (the Great God Derzalas).[1][3][6] However, his worship never fully replaced the earlier dominant cult of Apollo in Odessos.[6]
Derzalas was also referred to as theō epēkoō Derzei (the god who listens to prayers).[1]
There was a temple dedicated to him with a cult statue, and games (Darzaleia) were held in his honor every five years, possibly attended by Gordian III in 238 CE.[citation needed]
Another temple dedicated to Derzelas was built at Histria - a Greek colony on the shore of the Black Sea in the third century BC.[citation needed]
Darzalas Peak on Trinity Peninsula in Antarctica is named after the god.[7][citation needed]
Origins
editThere is debate among scholars whether Derzelas was an indigenous Thracian god, if he had Greek origins, or if he was the result of religious syncretism.[8] The name Darzalas itself is of Thracian origin.[2]
Depiction
editDerzalas was frequently depicted on the coinage of Hellenistic period Odessos[9] from the third century BCE to the third century CE[10] and portrayed in numerous terracotta figurines, as well as in a rare 4th century BC lead one found in the city.[11] Derzalas was depicted on the reverse side of coinage for Roman Empires such as Caracalla, Septimus Severus, Elagabalus, Severus Alexander, and Gordan III.[12] He was also sometimes depicted on the obverse of a coin, with the Thracian Horseman on the reverse.[2]
Derzalas was often depicted in himation, holding cornucopiae with altars by his side.[2][additional citation(s) needed]
Association with the Thracian Horseman
editOne relief, estimated to be from the 1st - 3rd centuries BCE, discovered in Metodievo, depicts the Thracian Horseman refers to the Horseman as Derzis, who the Roman creator (Aelius Diogenes) is making an offering to.[2][8]
Some scholars[who?] believe that the Thracian Horseman's association with Derzalas gave him a role as a guide for souls in the underworld.[2]
Notes
edit- 1 2 3 Paliga, Sorin (2006-01-01). "Etymological Lexicon of the Indigenous (Thracian) Elements in Romanian". Etymological Lexicon of the Indigenous (Thracian) Elements in Romanian: 330.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Antonios, Sakellariou (2015). The Cult of Thracian Hero. A Religious Syncretism Study with Deities and Heroes in the Western Black Sea Region (Master of Arts thesis). International Hellenic University. pp. 45–48. Retrieved 2026-06-07.
- 1 2 Gočeva, Zlatozara (1996). "Organization of Religious Life in Odessos". Kernos. 9: 121–127. doi:10.4000/kernos.1161.
- ↑ Haviaras, Adam (2017-10-28). "Dacians |". Archived from the original on 2026-06-09. Retrieved 2026-06-08.
- ↑ Minns, E. H. (1928). "Review of Několik Archeologických Památek z Východního Bulharska". The Classical Review. 42 (6): 243. ISSN 0009-840X. JSTOR 701459.
- 1 2 Sherk, Robert K. (1992). "The Eponymous Officials of Greek Cities IV: The Register: Part III: Thrace, Black Sea Area, Asia Minor (Continued)". Zeitschrift für Papyrologie und Epigraphik. 93: 234–235. ISSN 0084-5388. JSTOR 20188770.
- ↑ "SCAR Composite Gazetteer". data.aad.gov.au. Archived from the original on November 25, 2010.
- 1 2 Chiekova, Dobrinka (2007). "Cults of the Greek Cities En Aristera Tou Pontou: Interaction of Greek and Thracian Traditions". Electronic Antiquity: Communicating the Classics. 11 (1). ISSN 1320-3606.
- ↑ "Thrace, Odessos - Ancient Greek Coins - WildWinds.com". www.wildwinds.com. Archived from the original on 2026-06-09.
{{cite web}}:|archive-date=/|archive-url=timestamp mismatch; 2025-11-19 suggested (help) - ↑ C. J. Howgego; Volker Heuchert; Andrew M. Burnett (2008). Coinage and Identity in the Roman Provinces. Oxford University Press. p. 110. ISBN 9780199237845.
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20070720025014/http://www.varna-bg.com/museums/archaeology/pictures/musexibit/darsalas.jpg [bare URL image file]
- ↑ "American Numismatic Society: Browse Collection". numismatics.org. Retrieved 2026-06-08.
