The cult of Isis arrived to Rome from Egypt in the 1st century BCE.

In Egyptian mythology Isis is the mother of Horus and wife of Osiris. When Osiris is killed, he is avenged by Horus, but brought back to life by Isis.

Isis was foremost a goddess for fertility and motherhood, and she is often depicted as a caring mother with her child Horus in her arms. She is also often showed with a ritual situla, bucket for holy Nile water, and with a sistrum::, which is a kind of rattle whose noise was meant to ward off evil.

The Roman cult of Isis was a mystery cult, requiring initiation into to the cult before the secrets were disclosed. A temple of Isis is called an Iseum. There were special, professional priest of the cult, with shaven heads.

Photo gallery for "Isis"

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