DUE DEI ONNIPOTENTI ED I LORO FEDELI. OSSERVAZIONI SUI CULTI DI ZEUS ALSENOS E DI ZEUS PETARENOS NELLA FRIGIA DI EPOCA ROMANA ED IL PROBLEMA DELL’ELLENIZZAZIONE DEL SACRO

Abstract

ABSTRACT – The dedications from the sanctuaries of the gods Zeus Alsenos and Zeus
Petarenos have been used as starting point to reconstruct the characteristics of the local
gods of Phrygia during the Roman era. The images of anatomical body parts on the stelae
show that these gods were worshiped as healing gods. The depictions of family groups and
working animals (horses, oxen etc.) indicate that Zeus Alsenos and Zeus Petarenos were
also worshiped as protectors of families and work animals. All these testimonies show that
these gods were considered omnipotent. The strong henotheistic nature of these local cults
makes it possible to understand why Christianity prevailed so quickly in Phrygia as the
main religion.