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Derzelas, also called Darzelas and Derzis,[1] was a Dacian or Thracian chthonic[2] god of abundance, the underworld, health, and human spirit’s vitality.[3][4] Derzelas was associated with the Roman Pluto, the Orphic Dionysus,[2] the Graeco-Egyptian Sarapis,[5] and was one of the many gods associated with the Thracian Horseman.[6]

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).[1][3][7] However, his worship never fully replaced the earlier dominant cult of Apollo in Odessos.[7]

Derzalas was also referred to as theō epēkoō Derzei (the god who listens to prayers).[1]

There was a temple dedicated to him with a cult statue, and games (Darzaleia) were held in his honor every five years,[8] possibly attended by Gordian III in 238 CE.[citation needed]

Another temple dedicated to Derzelas was built at Histria – a Greek colony on the shore of the Black Sea in the third century BC.[citation needed]

Darzalas Peak on Trinity Peninsula in Antarctica is named after the god.[9]

Origins

There is debate among scholars whether Derzelas was an indigenous Thracian god,[10] if he had Greek origins, or if he was the result of religious syncretism.[8] The name Darzalas itself is of Thracian origin,[2] while Theos Megas is a Roman term, usually given to Pluto.[8]

Depiction in Coinage

Derzalas was frequently depicted on the coinage of Hellenistic period Odessos[11] from the third century BCE to the third century CE[12] and portrayed in numerous terracotta figurines, as well as in a rare 4th century BC lead one found in the city.[13] He was also depicted on the coinage of Tomis (modern day Constanța).[10]

Derzalas was depicted on the reverse side of coinage for Roman Empires such as Caracalla, Septimus Severus, Elagabalus, Severus Alexander, and Gordan III.[14] He was also sometimes depicted on the obverse of coins, with the Thracian Horseman on the reverse[2][15], on either side as the central figure of a triad, between Heracles and Athena,[5] and on the reverse of coins, with Heracles on the obverse. In Tomis coinage, Derzelas was also sometimes shown with an eagle between Castor and Pollux.[10]

Derzalas was often depicted in himation, holding cornucopiae with altars by his side.[2][additional citation(s) needed]

From 281-250 BCE, Derzelas was featured on three out of four of Odessos’ countermarks.[16]

Association with the Thracian Horseman

One relief, estimated to be from the 1st – 3rd centuries BCE, discovered in Metodievo, depicts the Thracian Horseman refers to the Horseman as Derzis, who the Roman creator (Aelius Diogenes) is making an offering to.[2][8]

Some scholars[who?] believe that the Thracian Horseman’s association with Derzalas gave him a role as a guide for souls in the underworld.[2]

Notes

  1. ^ a b c Paliga, Sorin (2006-01-01). “Etymological Lexicon of the Indigenous (Thracian) Elements in Romanian”. Etymological Lexicon of the Indigenous (Thracian) Elements in Romanian: 330.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Antonios, Sakellariou (2015). The Cult of Thracian Hero. A Religious Syncretism Study with Deities and Heroes in the Western Black Sea Region (Master of Arts thesis). International Hellenic University. pp. 45–48. Retrieved 2026-06-07.
  3. ^ a b Gočeva, Zlatozara (1996). “Organization of Religious Life in Odessos”. Kernos. 9: 121–127. doi:10.4000/kernos.1161.
  4. ^ Haviaras, Adam (2017-10-28). “Dacians |”. Archived from the original on 2026-06-09. Retrieved 2026-06-08.
  5. ^ a b Calomino, Dario (2013). “Die-sharing in Moesia Inferior under Gordian III”. The Numismatic Chronicle (1966-). 173: 111–113. ISSN 0078-2696.
  6. ^ Minns, E. H. (1928). “Review of Několik Archeologických Památek z Východního Bulharska”. The Classical Review. 42 (6): 243. ISSN 0009-840X. JSTOR 701459.
  7. ^ a b Sherk, Robert K. (1992). “The Eponymous Officials of Greek Cities IV: The Register: Part III: Thrace, Black Sea Area, Asia Minor (Continued)”. Zeitschrift für Papyrologie und Epigraphik. 93: 234–235. ISSN 0084-5388. JSTOR 20188770.
  8. ^ a b c d Chiekova, Dobrinka (2007). “Cults of the Greek Cities En Aristera Tou Pontou: Interaction of Greek and Thracian Traditions”. Electronic Antiquity: Communicating the Classics. 11 (1). ISSN 1320-3606.
  9. ^ “Gazetteer – AADC”. data.aad.gov.au. Archived from the original on 2026-06-13. Retrieved 2026-06-13.
  10. ^ a b c Peter, Ulrike (2017). “Die ‘pseudo-autonomen’ Münzen von Moesia Inferior — ein erster ikonographischer Überblick”. The Numismatic Chronicle (1966-) (in German). 177: 251–253. ISSN 0078-2696.
  11. ^ “Thrace, Odessos – Ancient Greek Coins – WildWinds.com”. www.wildwinds.com. Archived from the original on 2025-11-19. Retrieved 2026-06-08.
  12. ^ C. J. Howgego; Volker Heuchert; Andrew M. Burnett (2008). Coinage and Identity in the Roman Provinces. Oxford University Press. p. 110. ISBN 9780199237845.
  13. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20070720025014/http://www.varna-bg.com/museums/archaeology/pictures/musexibit/darsalas.jpg [bare URL image file]
  14. ^ “American Numismatic Society: Browse Collection”. numismatics.org. Archived from the original on 2026-06-10. Retrieved 2026-06-08.
  15. ^ Hill, G. F. (1899). “BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTES ON GREEK NUMISMATICS (Continued)”. The Numismatic Chronicle and Journal of the Numismatic Society. 19: 252. ISSN 2054-9172.
  16. ^ Stancomb, William (2009). “The Autonomous Bronze Coinage of Heraclea Pontica”. The Numismatic Chronicle (1966-). 169: 19. ISSN 0078-2696.