Bronze statuette of a bull ca. 2nd century A.D. Roman The bull was a powerful symbol in many ancient religions, none more so than in that of Egypt, where the animal was worshipped as the god Apis. The Romans found it easier to accept the Apis bull than some of the more exotic deities of the Egyptian pantheon, like the ibis-headed god Thoth or the jackal-headed Anubis, and they ridiculed Egyptians as worshippers of animals such as cats and crocodiles.. Bronze statuette of a bull 248495