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How did the cult of Serapis combine Egyptian and Greek religious ideas?

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Ptolemaic sculpture — Ptolemaic dynasty Head of a queen, marble sculpture possibly made in Egypt, Ptolemaic period (305–30 bce); in the Brooklyn Museum, New York. 14 × 12 × 11.5 cm.

The cult of Serapis was established by Ptolemy I Soter to create an official, unifying deity for Egypt that bridged the gap between Egyptian and Greek religious traditions.12

The deity originated from the Egyptian cult of the sacred Apis bull at Memphis. In Egyptian belief, deceased Apis bulls were assimilated with Osiris, the god of the underworld, and referred to as Osorapis. Ptolemy I adapted this figure into the new god Serapis, imbuing him with Hellenic characteristics to appeal to his Greek subjects.132

This synthesis was visually and conceptually expressed through:
* Iconography: The famous cult statue created by the sculptor Bryaxis depicted Serapis as a robed, bearded figure in the Greek style, resembling Zeus, Hades, and Dionysus, while retaining underworld associations through the presence of Cerberus.24
* Attributes: Serapis was revered as a Sun god, a lord of healing, and a deity of fertility, reflecting a blend of Egyptian solar themes and Greek divine roles.2
* Ritual: In the Serapeum at Alexandria, the god was worshiped using purely Greek rituals.1