Solymeus

Solymeus or Solymos ( ancient Greek Σολυμεύς; Σόλυμος ) is an epithet of Zeus , with whom he was worshiped in the Pisidic Polis Termessos . The nickname is derived from the mountain Solymos (today Güllük Dağı ) south of the city .

He is known from inscriptions and coins dating from 71 BC. BC to about 39 AD. On the coin images Zeus Solymeus is shown sitting with a helmet and armor, his hand is raised to his head with a crooked index finger. There are still coins from Termessos that only show the helmeted head without an inscription or other attributes, but are interpreted as depictions of Zeus Solymeus due to the similarity with the coins with an inscription minted at the same time. The inscription shows that Zeus Solymeus had a priest appointed for life who, at least in later times, was also the priest of the Roman goddess Roma .

Zeus Solymeus was venerated in a temple dedicated to him in Termessos, where sacrifices were made in his honor. In grave violations fines had to be paid to him.

literature

• Otto Höfer : Solymeus . In: Wilhelm Heinrich Roscher (Hrsg.): Detailed lexicon of Greek and Roman mythology . Volume 4, Leipzig 1915, column 1153 f. ( Digitized version ).
• Otto Höfer: Solymos . In: Wilhelm Heinrich Roscher (Hrsg.): Detailed lexicon of Greek and Roman mythology . Volume 4, Leipzig 1915, column 1154 ( digitized version ).
• Wilhelm Kroll : Solymeus. In: Paulys Realencyclopadie der classischen Antiquity Science (RE). Volume III A, 1, Stuttgart 1927, Col. 989 f.
• Gustav Türk : Solymos. In: Paulys Realencyclopadie der classischen Antiquity Science (RE). Volume III A, 1, Stuttgart 1927, Sp. 990.