Lesson plan
Derzelas
Derzelas, also called Darzelas and Derzis, was a Dacian or Thracian chthonic god of abundance, the underworld, health, and human spirit's vitality. Derzelas was associated with the Roman Pluto, the Orphic interpretation of Dionysus, the Graeco-Egyptian Sarapis, and was one of the many gods associated with the Thracian Horseman. During Roman rule of Dacia, Derzelas became associated with the Great God of Odessos (modern Varna), and thus was called Theos Megas Darzalas (the Great God Derzalas). However, his worship never fully replaced the earlier dominant cult of Apollo in Odessos. Derzalas was also referred to as theō epēkoō Derzei (the god who listens to prayers). There was a temple dedicated to him with a cult statue, and games (Darzaleia) were held in his honor every five years, possibly attended by Gordian III in 238 CE. Another temple dedicated to Derzelas was built at Histria - a Greek colony on the shore of the Black Sea in the third century BC. Darzalas Peak on Trinity Peninsula in Antarctica is named after the god.
Article summary
Derzelas, also called Darzelas and Derzis, was a Dacian or Thracian chthonic god of abundance, the underworld, health, and human spirit's vitality. Derzelas was associated with the Roman Pluto, the Orphic interpretation of Dionysus, the Graeco-Egyptian Sarapis, and was one of the many gods associated with the Thracian Horseman. During Roman rule of Dacia, Derzelas became associated with the Great God of Odessos (modern Varna), and thus was called Theos Megas Darzalas (the Great God Derzalas). However, his worship never fully replaced the earlier dominant cult of Apollo in Odessos. Derzalas was also referred to as theō epēkoō Derzei (the god who listens to prayers). There was a temple dedicated to him with a cult statue, and games (Darzaleia) were held in his honor every five years, possibly attended by Gordian III in 238 CE. Another temple dedicated to Derzelas was built at Histria - a Greek colony on the shore of the Black Sea in the third century BC. Darzalas Peak on Trinity Peninsula in Antarctica is named after the god.
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Discussion questions
- Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
- Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
- If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?
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