Serapis is a syncretic deity that emerged in ancient Egypt during the Ptolemaic period. He was created to unify the Greek and Egyptian cultures, combining aspects of both Osiris, the Egyptian god of the afterlife, and Apis, a sacred bull. Serapis was often depicted as a bearded man with a modius (a type of headdress) and was associated with fertility, healing, and the afterlife. Worship of Serapis spread beyond Egypt, influencing the Roman Empire and early Christianity. His cult included grand temples, such as the Serapeum in Alexandria, which became a significant center of worship. Serapis represented a blend of traditions, appealing to both Greeks and Egyptians.