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 center	Palmyra
Genealogy
Siblings	Arsu
Equivalents
Greek	Ares
Roman	Mars

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]

See also

• Roman temple of Bziza

References

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.

Sources

• Encyclopedia of Gods, Michael Jordan, Kyle Cathie Limited, 2002