Egyptian cults in the Northern Black Sea Coast and the Ukrainian Steppe according to epigraphic and archeological monuments (6th century BCE – 4th century CE)

Abstract

A number of source‑scientific and historiographical studies have been analyzed. They provide information on finds of objects related to the cults of deities of Egyptian origin in the territory of the Northern Black Sea Coast and the Ukrainian Steppe. A description of the relevant epigraphic inscriptions, sgraffito, bronze, marble, terracotta and bone statuettes, reliefs on clay candelabrums and dishes, gems carved from precious stones, golden, silver, bronze and iron rings, bone tessarae, amulet-beads, made of Egyptian faiense and bronze coins is given. It is established that faience beads first began to enter these regions in the 6th – 5th centuries BCE, they performed the role of apotropaeus among the ancient Greek, Scythian, and later Sarmation population and gained great popularity there. It is determined that on the territory of the Ukrainian Steppe up to the 4th century CE only such beads belonging to Egyptian cult material occur, on the other hand, the rest of the material is characteristic only for the Northern Black Sea Coast. It is found that the discovered sacred objects testify to the existence of Egyptian beliefs in their Hellenized version in the Greek colonies of the specified region starting from the 3rd century BCE and until the end of the ancient era. The opinion is substantiated that despite the possible official nature of the studied cults, that can be evidenced by the minting of copper coins with the image of Zeus Amon and Serapis in the Bosporus by Queen Dynamia (12/11 BCE - 7/8 CE) or the presence of temples of Serapis, Isis, Asclepius, Hygeia and Poseidon in the first half of the 3rd century CE in Olbia, the worship of the Egyptian gods was rather private. In particular, they were addressed in healing magical practices, and these deities acted as patrons of the dead. Isis was considered the patroness of sailors. Keywords: Egyptian deities, cult objects, monuments of epigraphy and archaeology, Northern Black Sea Coast, Ukrainian Steppe