How were foreign gods identified with Greek gods during the Hellenistic period?

During the Hellenistic period, the identification of foreign gods with Greek deities was a common practice, often occurring at a superficial level as Greeks encountered diverse cultures within the vast empire created by Alexander the Great. This process, a form of religious syncretism, allowed for the blending of Greek and Oriental religious traditions.123

The identification typically functioned by equating the attributes, roles, or mythic associations of a foreign deity with those of a familiar Greek god. Notable examples include:2

• Isis: Often equated with Demeter and Aphrodite.2
• Serapis: A Greco-Egyptian deity who was commonly identified with Zeus, Dionysus, and Hades.2
• Horus: Frequently associated with Apollo and Helios.2
• Artemis: Identified with the chief fertility goddess of Ephesus.1

These equations were not merely academic; they were often integrated into mystery religions and royal cults, where the blending of politics and religion helped legitimize the authority of Hellenistic rulers. While these syncretistic practices were widespread, they were often driven by the need to make foreign deities accessible to a Greek-speaking population or to harmonize diverse cultural beliefs within a unified political framework.24