- Jupiter Dolichenus
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God of a Roman mystery cult.He was originally a Hittite-Hurrian god of fertility and thunder worshiped at Doliche in Anatolia. He also became identified with the Zoroastrian god Ahura Mazda as a lord of the universe. Returning legions carried his cult to Rome, where it became popular in the 2nd–3rd century AD. In Roman mystery religion he was believed to control military success and safety. He was usually represented standing on a bull holding a double ax and thunderbolt.
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▪ classical religiongod of a Roman mystery cult, originally a local Hittite-Hurrian god of fertility and thunder worshiped at Doliche (modern Dülük), in southeastern Turkey. Later the deity was given a Semitic character, but, under Achaemenid (Achaemenid Dynasty) rule (6th–4th century BC), he was identified with the Persian god Ahura Mazdā, thus becoming a god of the universe. Through Greek influence he was renamed Zeus Oromasdes; and under that title he was closely associated with the cult of Mithra, another Persian deity. The worship of Jupiter Dolichenus and that of his consort was gradually carried westward to Rome and other military centres, where it became extremely popular during the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. In the Roman mystery religion he was not only recognized as a god of the heavens but was also believed to control military success and safety. He was usually represented standing on a bull and carrying his special weapons, the double ax and the thunderbolt.* * *
Universalium. 2010.