The center ( ancient Greek σωτήρ , “savior, keeper”; female. Greek σώτειρα ) is originally an epithet of Zeus and, more rarely, other Olympian gods [1] .
The cult of Zeus Soter was spread in ancient Greece, acquiring in some cases the features of a polisnoy: the statue of Zeus Soter was located on the Athenian agora in the sanctuary of Zeus Eleutheria (Zeus the Liberator), in the testimony of Lycurgus of Athens in Piraeus was the joint sanctuary of Zeter Soter and Athena Soteira, sacrifices were offered “for the good of bule and demos” [2] .
In Hellenistic time, the epithet “Soter” began to be used in the titling of the rulers of the Hellenistic states that emerged from the possessions of the Diadochi :
- Egypt.
- Ptolemy I Soter .
- Ptolemy IX Soter II.
- Ptolemy XI Alexander II (Ptolemy XI Soter).
- Syria.
- Antiochus I Soter .
- Seleucus III Ceurus , or Soter.
- Demetrius I Soter .
- Pergamum.
- Attal I Soter .
In the Roman Empire, the epithets of Soter and Soteira (Soteria) were also used as names, for example, the known bishop of the Roman Soter (? - 174 (175)) and the martyr Sotery of Rome (c. 305).
Subsequently, the epithet "Soter" was perceived in Christianity in relation to Jesus Christ .
In Judaism, the term "Soter" means "the destruction of the built" (see Shabbat ).
Notes
- ↑ Lubker F. Real Dictionary of Classical Antiquities. M., 2001. In 3 t. T. 3. S. 316
- ↑ Mikalson, Jon D. Religion in Hellenistic Athens. - University of California Press, 1998. - P. 111. - ISBN 9780520210233 .