Azizos

Azizos
God of the morning star
Relief carving of Azizos riding a dromedary, from the region of Tell Halaf and Harran (1st–3rd century AD)
Major cult centerPalmyra
Genealogy
SiblingsArsu
Equivalents
GreekAres
RomanMars

In ancient Arab mythology, Azizos or Aziz (Palmyrene: 𐡰𐡦𐡩𐡦 ʿzyz) is the Palmyran Arab[1] god of the morning star. He is portrayed as riding a camel with his twin brother Arsu, although one source says that "Azizos is depicted as a horseman, whereas Arşu is a cameleer."[2] He was venerated separately in Syria as god of the morning star, Phosphoros, in company with the astral god Monimos, Hesperos.[3]

Azizos was identified as Ares by Julian in his work 'Hymn to King Helios'. He says "Now I am aware that Ares, who is called Azizos by the Syrians who inhabit Emesa..."[4]

  1. ^ Drijvers, H. J. W. (2015). Cults and Beliefs at Edessa. Brill Publishers. pp. Chapter Six: THE CULT OF AZIZOS AND MONIMOS AND OTHER ARAB DEITIES. ISBN 978-90-04-29562-9.
  2. ^ Texidor, Javier (1979). The Pantheon of Palmyra. Eeiden: E.J.Brill. p. 70. ISBN 90-04-05987-3. Retrieved Jan 31, 2020.
  3. ^ Drijvers, H.J.W. (1980). Cults and Beliefs at Edessa (Jan 31, 2020 ed.). Leiden: E.J.Brill. p. 150. ISBN 90-04-06050-2.
  4. ^ Flavius Claudius Julianus; Wright, Emily Wilmer Cave (tr.). "Hymn to King Helios (154)". Retrieved Feb 1, 2020.