Derzelas

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Derzelas (Darzalas) was a Thracian chthonic god of health and human spirit's vitality, also known under the names of Great God Gebeleizis, Derzis, or the Thracian Knight.

Darzalas was the Great God of Hellenistic Odessos (modern Varna) since the 4th century BC and was frequently depicted on its coinage and portrayed in numerous terra cotta figurines, as well as in a rare 4th-century BC lead one (photo), found in the city. Darzalas was often depicted in himation, holding cornucopiae with altars by his side. There was a temple dedicated to him with a cult statue, and games (Darzaleia) were held in his honor every five years, possibly attended by Gordian III in 238 AD.

Another temple dedicated to Derzelas was built at Histria (Sinoe)[1] - a Greek colony, on the shore of the Black Sea in the 3rd century BC. Derzelas was the main Dacian god during the life of Burebista's high priest Deceneus^{[citation needed]}, who eventually became king. Derzelas and the ancient chief Dacian god Zalmoxis were eventually merged into one god.

Gebeleizis (or Gebeleixis, Nebeleizis) was the god of lightning and the horizon for the Getae, probably related to the Thracian god of storm and lightning, Zibelthiurdos.^[1] He was represented as a handsome man, sometimes wearing a beard. The lightning and thunder were his manifestations. In the later period of the Thrace' religious existence, Gebeleizis seems to merge with Zalmoxis as the supreme god.