Egyptian Gods’ Battle For Ancient Rome – Apis And Isis Cult Against Christianity

Ellen Lloyd - AncientPages.com - Spreading Christianity in ancient Rome and gaining new followers was not an easy task. Pagans and Emperors alike were opponents of the new faith. Christians were treated as intruders, enemies and traitors to the ancient Pagan gods.

Main rivals to Christianity were followers of the Apis and Isis cult. Apis and Isis, two ancient Egyptian gods who gained plenty of popularity among Romans. Both these cults tried to become the most dominant power of ancient Rome. However, at the end Christianity won this religious battle because Christians were best organized, united a had good allies.

Apis Cult In Ancient Rome

Apis, the sacred bull of the Egyptian capital Memphis was considered a manifestation of the god Ptah. Whenever an Apis bull died in Memphis it was embalmed, mummified and buried in a necropolis at Saqqara.
Each bull had its own huge sarcophagus, which was placed in one of these underground chambers. Ancient Egyptians recorded the animal's birth and death, and the dates were carved on a stone stelae set into the walls of the burial place. This was done in a way similar to our modern graveyards.

The bull-god was believed to be the manifestation or living image of Ptah. Credit: Land Of Pyramids

A prospective new Apis bull was required to have a white crescent on one side of its body or a white triangle on its forehead. This was a symbol representing its unique character and thus a sign the animal had been accepted by the gods. Once the Apis bull was chosen, its mother was also honored, and buried in catacombs at Saqqara set aside for the purpose. The bull was a symbol of strength and courage.

The Apis cult (3,000 B.C. - 400 A.D.) spread from Alexandria and became one of the most widespread Eastern cults in the Roman Empire. To ancient Romans, the bull was so sacred that the animal even had its own official bodyguard (a lictor) who protected it.

Isis Cult In Ancient Rome

The Isis cult (2,500 B.C. - 400 A.D.) in ancient Rome was the greatest rival to Christianity. Isis was one of the most important Egyptian goddess. Isis was an Egyptian goddess of magic, fertility and motherhood, and death, healing and rebirth. Married to the Egyptian god Osiris Isis was regarded as a perfect mother and wife. Isis was a divine symbol of motherhood and she was often depicted nursing her son Horus, just like Virgin Mary.

The Goddess Isis, wall painting, c. 1360 BCE. Credit: The Yorck Project Gesellschaft für Bildarchivierung GmbH

The cult of Isis involved initiation, baptism, and service and promised eventual salvation.
This also explains why Christianity had to struggle to overcome the Isis cult. One of the main reasons why Christians were victorious over the Isis followers was because the latter were very divided. Basically Isis followers lacked proper unity because the believers practiced their religion in different ways, depending on their locations. The Isis cult had no central organization in ancient Rome.

See also:

10 Types Of Ancient Crosses In Different Cultures Explained

5 Different Types Of Priests In Ancient Rome – Their Role And Responsibility Explained

Defixiones: Ancient Roman Curse Tablets Became Big Business

The message of Christianity was spread around the Roman Empire by St. Paul who founded Christian churches in Asia Minor and Greece. Eventually, he took his teachings to Rome itself.

How The Strange Dream Of Roman Emperor Constantine Changed History

Life in ancient Rome was very difficult if you were a Christian. Christianity was banned and Christians were punished for many years.

Whoever, over time, the Christian church and faith grew more organized. In 313 AD, the Emperor Constantine issued the Edict of Milan, which accepted Christianity and persecution of Christians ended.

Written by  Ellen Lloyd – AncientPages.com

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About the author:
Ellen Lloyd – is the owner of AncientPages.com and an author who has spent decades researching ancient mysteries, myths, legends and sacred texts, but she is also very interested in astronomy, astrobiology and science in general