The Egyptian goddess Isis in Rome (Video)
The Egyptian goddess Isis held significant influence in Rome, particularly from the 2nd century BC onward. Initially associated with the fertility of the Nile and the mother of Horus, her importance expanded into other areas, including shipping, vital for transporting grain from Egypt to Rome. This association with grain solidified her role in the Roman world, intertwining her with the deity Serapis, a combination of Osiris and Apis, who also held connections to the underworld and grain.
- Isis, An Egyptian Goddess Who Spread Her Wings Across Europe
- Serapis: God of Fertility and the Afterlife that United Greeks and Egyptians
Artifacts and temples dedicated to Isis spread across Italy, notably in Pompeii, where a well-preserved temple stands. The spread of her worship reached its peak following the Roman conquest of Egypt under Augustus, which led to an "Egyptomania" in Rome. The construction of a massive sanctuary dedicated to Isis and Serapis, known as the Iseum Metellinum, was a testament to her lasting influence. This sanctuary, along with others, housed statues and obelisks that reflected Egypt's cultural impact on Rome.
The cult of Isis continued to flourish, with statues and symbols of the goddess found in prominent Roman sites, including the Campus Martius. Her association with grain and shipping was immortalized in art, emphasizing her role in Rome's economy and religious life.
Top image: Isis wall painting in the tomb of Seti I. Source: Public Domain
