Romano-Egyptian Terracotta Head

Romano-Egyptian figures often displayed gods or those of the upper class. This head may possibly be of the god Helios wearing a diadem made up of six rays to represent the aureole of sunlight which accompanied him. During the Romano-Egyptian period, Helios, the Greek sun god, was syncretised with the Egyptian Deity Ra, forming a composite deity known as Helios-Ra. Helios was often depicted with a radiant crown, symbolising the sun’s power, and is often associated with cosmic order and divine kingship as he was believed to be the overseer of the heavens. This imagery aligned closely with Ra, who was traditionally shown as a falcon-headed figure downed by a solar disk. During this period, solar worship gained increasing prominence in Roman religious practices, culminating in the official imperial deity, Sol Invictus.