Dusares

Dusares was a Semitic deity worshipped in the ancient city of Palmyra. He is identified with the Mesopotamian god Shamash, the sun god, and in Greco-Roman Palmyra, he was often syncretized with Apollo. The name Dusares is believed to derive from the Semitic "dwsr," possibly meaning "lord of the mountain" or "lord of the strong."

Evidence of Dusares' worship in Palmyra dates back to the 1st century BCE. He was a prominent deity in the Palmyrene pantheon, often depicted as a powerful god associated with justice, law, and the sun's life-giving power. His temple in Palmyra was a significant religious site. Archaeological finds, including inscriptions and statuary, attest to his importance.

Dusares was also worshipped outside of Palmyra, particularly in the Roman province of Arabia Petraea, where he was known as "Bosra," after the city of Bostra. Here, he was considered the chief god and was sometimes referred to as "Zeus Bosra." The Romans often adopted and integrated local deities into their own religious landscape, and Dusares was no exception, being assimilated into the broader Roman imperial cult. The cult of Dusares gradually declined with the rise of Christianity in the region.