Romano-Egyptian painting of the deity Heron (ca. 300 ACE). This votive panel of the God Heron is one of a handful of paintings from antiquity to survive with its original frame. Here He is depicted in Greco-Egyptian style in a Roman military dress while making an offering at an altar. Behind Him is a small figure of a donor or servant, as well as a griffin holding the Wheel of Nemesis, Goddess of divine retribution, who was also popular with the armed forces.

Heron or Heros, is the Thracian Rider God whose worship can be traced into Thrace and Lower Moesia as early as the 4th century BCE, but became later popular in Graeco-Roman Egypt as a savior God. He is identified with deities such as Asklepios, Dionysos, Horus, and Apollo and His Mysteries were associated with Demeter, Persephone, and Hekate, or potentially Balkan Goddesses who share their characteristics.

Epithets

His epithets include

• Soter (savior)
• Iatros (healer)
• Epekoos (hearer of prayers)

Bibliography

Beek, B. Van. “Magdola meris of Themistos.” Fayum Project. March 7, 2003. Accessed December 19, 2017. http://www.trismegistos.org/fayum/fayum2/1284.php?geo_id=1284.

Gale, Thomson. “Thracian Rider.” Encyclopedia of Religion. 2005. Accessed December 19, 2017. http://www.encyclopedia.com/environment/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/thracian-rider.

Hampartumian, Nubar, “Moesia Inferior (Romanian Section) and Dacia, Volume 74, Part 4 (1979)” 1979

HonorTheGods. “Heron.” Honor the Gods. August 11, 2017. Accessed December 19, 2017. http://honorthegods.tumblr.com/post/164060599106/ancientbeardart-painting-of-the-god-heron.

“Painting of the god Heron.” RISD MUSEUM. Accessed December 19, 2017. https://risdmuseum.org/art_design/objects/252_painting_of_the_god_heron.