You are here:About>Religion & Spirituality>Alternative Religions
About.comAlternative Religions
Alexamenos (Crucified Ass)
 
Related Terms
Crucified serpent
Chi-Ro
Cross
Star of David
Vesica pisces

Related Resources
Religio Romana
Hellenismos

Glossaries
Symbol Glossary
Alternative Religions Glossary
Glossary of Magick and the Occult

This crude graffiti cartoon from the early second century, may be the oldest depiction of Christ. (Scholars disagree; some believe the Donkey headed figure may represent Bacchus. Still others point to the drawing as evidence of a close relation between the cults of Jesus and Bacchus/Dionysus).

Scratched onto a plaster wall, it depicts a donkey headed man on a crucifix. Next to him is a figure with a raised arm, ostensibly Alexamenos, the butt of the joke. The Greek caption reads "Alexamenos sebete theon" (Alexamenos worships his god.)

Related Symbols:

Chi-roAnkh

See also:

Saviors and Madonnas
Can you guess the crucified saviors, good shepherds, Madonnas with child?

Related Articles:

The Dying Savior
Thousands of years before Jesus, there was a passion story told about a God man, born of a virgin mother, in a stable. He travels about with his followers, preaching and performing miracles, until one day he is allows himself to be arrested and tried for blasphemy. He is found guilty and executed, only to rise from the grave three days later, where the women weeping at his tomb do not recognize him- that is, until he assumes his divine form as the God Dionysus...

Elsewhere on the Web:

From Sun Disk to Crucifix
An illustrated history of the cross symbol.

Can't find what you're looking for? Something missing, broken, or incorrect? Have an idea or a question? Let us know in the Discussion Forum

Subscribe to the Newsletter
Name
Email

Need to ask me a question? I make every attempt to reply to all email. Click here to send me an email.

 

 

 

From Jennifer Emick,
Your Guide to Alternative Religions.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!
 All Topics | Email Article | Print this Page | |
Advertising Info | News & Events | Work at About | SiteMap | Reprints | HelpOur Story | Be a Guide
User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy©2008 About, Inc., A part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.