Egyptian Influence in Pompeii & Herculaneum Art Architecture Religion

ART Egyptian art existed in Herculaneum and Pompeii in many varying forms. Such as statues, frescos, mosaics, and wall paintings. This shows the popularity and possible trade between Alexandria and the Campania regions. It also shows the awareness of other cultures by the Pompeii and Herculaneum people. Painting of frescos on walls was also a practice that originated in the Egyptian world and was adopted in the Roman Empire. Most depicted Egyptian mythology, landscapes, animals and various religious scenes.

Frescos In both towns frescos have been discovered depicting Egyptian mythology, religious rites and landscapes . Frescos were an important part of everyday life, showing exotic landscapes and religious scenes. POMPEII (Temple of Isis) HERCULANEUM

The House of The Faun Mosaics in the House of the Faun included a floor mosaic portraying the Battle of Isis showing that such events were affecting the people of Pompeii and Herculaneum. It also indicates communication between Egypt and Campania as it was done by skilled Alexandria craftsmen. Another mosaic found was of the Nile river and the many exotic creatures that can be found there.

Boscoreale Treasure The Boscoreale treasure was found in the Villa Pisanella about a kilometre north of Pompeii. This silver patera shows an allegorical representation of the city Alexandria. In her left hand holding fruits of Egypt and an asp in the right which is a sacred symbol of Isis. Attributes of other deities are also around the group including the club of Hercules, which indicates a connection with the people of Campania.

Statue of Isis Stylic analysis has indicated that the statue of Isis found in the temple of Isis combined the typical elements of archaic Greek art and Egyptian art. Similar statuettes have been found throughout Herculaneum although of a much smaller scale. This indicates that a combination of Egyptian and Greek art was popular in the design of statues. In the House of Acceptus and Euhodia, 5 statues of Egyptian divinities and a goddess with a lotus blossom of her forehead testify to the wide variety of statues.

Architecture Egyptian architecture was not recognised as greatly in Pompeii and Herculaneum as it was tended to be more East Hellenistic architecture which was after the influence of the Greeks during Alexander the Greats rein. Although the influence of East Hellenistic was great.

Incrustation Style The incrustation style is believed to have been worked out originally in genuine materials when walls were actually veneered, to a certain height, with various kinds of marble, cut and arranged to represent ashlar work. The use of different varieties of marble points to active trade between countries of the Mediterranean sea. It is believed the Incrustation Style originated in Alexandria during the Hellenistic period.

Third Style The Third Style or the Ornate Style of wall decoration present in the towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum was profusely ornamental with a certain affinity with Egypt. . It obeyed strict rules of symmetry dictated by the central element, dividing the wall into 3 horizontal and 3-5 vertical zones. Delicate motifs of birds or semi-fantastical animals appeared in the background. Plants and characteristically Egyptian animals were also often introduced.

House structures The House of the Faun is a perfect example of the influence of the Hellenistic culture. It introduced high vestibules, wide atriums and peristyles, extremely large gardens as well as libraries and picture galleries.

Frescos and mosaics. Egyptian and Hellenistic culture introduced frescos which provided an outstanding contribution to the architecture of the houses of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Along with the work of Alexandrian craftsmen who designed mosaics such as The Battle of Isis seen in the House of the Faun show the magnificence of the oriental Hellenistic palaces and provided a backdrop to Pompeii and Herculaneum society. HOUSE OF THE FAUN

Religion One of the first buildings rebuilt after the 62AD earthquakes was the Temple of Isis which depicts the importance of the Egyptian influenced cult. Shrines, paintings, frescos, statues and mosaics unearthed throughout Pompeii and Herculaneum demonstrate the importance of religion and worship in their everyday lives. Not only was it important to maintain favour and prosperity, it was also heavily embedded into the culture of the Pompeii and Herculaneum people.

Temple of Isis The Temple of Isis was an important structure in Pompeii as noted by the fact that it was one of the first structures rebuilt after the earthquake of 62AD. It also appears that extensions were made during the rebuilding indicating a growing of numbers in worshippers. The Temple was also open everyday for worship and two worships occurred daily. Many frescos and paintings adorned the walls showing rites and practices. Carbonised remains in pits and around the altar illustrate that sacrifices took place in the Temple.

Lararium images. Up to twenty lararium images and statues have been found of the goddess Isis and other Egyptian deities. With all the usual settings of other domestic cults : niche, altar, snake and offerings. In Herculaneum a statue of Isis shows the goddess, ‘The Glory of Women,’ seated and suckling her infant Horus. ‘The most sacred, the most hallowed place on earth is the home of each and every citizen. There are his sacred hearth and his household gods, there the very centre of his worship, religion, and domestic ritual.’                                             (Cicero, De Domo Sua 41, 109)

Remains Remains of a marble hand used in religious ritual ceremonies was uncovered as well as bronze candle sticks, cups and two skulls. A body that was uncovered on the altar is believed to be a priest, this as well as frescos and paintings that have been discovered indicate that rituals were sacred practices and priests and other important figures were involved in the carrying out of ceremonies.

Gods The House of the Gilded Cupids featured a ‘chapel’ dedicated to Isis, Serapis and Anubis. The Temple of Isis also hosted paintings of the Egyptian God Hapocrates and statues of other gods were found. Indicating a wide variety of Egyptian worship.