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Ancient deity from Syria and Arabia

Arsu

Arsu

Key facts

instance ofdeity
place of birthArabian Peninsula
described by sourceAn Arabian Trinity
All data from the card 3
Planet
Mercury, Venus (as the Evening Star)
Siblings
Azizos
Arabia
Ruda

Arsu was a god worshipped in Palmyra, Syria.

A deity known from Syrian and northern Arabian lands, being represented as either male or female (most often). Arsu was connected with the evening star.

Frequently portrayed as riding a camel and accompanied by his twin brother Azizos; both were regarded as the protectors of caravans. His worship is also confirmed by material evidence found in the Temple of Adonis, Dura-Europos. In the temple complex there was a relief depicting Arsu on a camel. The inscription under the figure reads: "Oga the sculptor has made (this to) 'Arsu the camel-rider, for the life of his son". It is likely he was associated with the planet Mercury early on.

Elsewhere in pre-Islamic Arabia, he was equated with Ruda (literally benign).

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Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source article