Egyptian Cults in Ancient Thrace – Spread, Extent and Interaction

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The spread of Egyptian (Isiac) cults in ancient Thrace was a multi-layered and continuous process of great importance for the history of the Balkans. In fact, it was a process that has lasted for more than eight centuries – from the beginning of the Hellenistic period (end of the 4th BC) to the end of the Roman Empire (4th century AD) – and it has probably left an imprint on religious beliefs of the local population. Originated from the Nile Valley, drawing on the diverse religious concepts of Ancient Egypt, the Isiac cults have become а weapon of central government throughout their long existence. They were adopted very quickly by ordinary people because of the soteriological nature of the Egyptian deities and the more personal connection they had with their followers. That is why we find them all over the Greco-Roman world and in particular in ancient Thrace, where they were more or less assimilated with the local deities. The project ECAT: Egyptian Cults in Ancient Thrace – Spread, Extent and Interaction aims to give a comprehensive and modern study of the spread of the Isiac cults in ancient Thrace in order to expand our knowledge of religious beliefs in the Southeast Europe during the Antiquity. With one of the largest libraries of Classical Studies and open access to various research databases, EFA provides the best current academic context for the more interpretative and synthesising parts of the research. By partaking in a more conceptual research culture, this experience will have a decisive impact on my scientific development and will open up numerous new perspectives.