1. Isis & Her Worship

2. Who is Isis? Egyptian goddess Daughter of Geb and Nut
Twin sister and wife of Osiris
Sister of Set
Mother of Horus

3. Her Domains Goddess of nature, magic, children, the dead
Patron goddess of sinners, slaves, the poor, and especially sailors
Spread of her worship – Iraq to Britain
Temple in Pompeii

4. Set vs. Osiris Osiris – wise king and ruler Set – jealous brother
Osiris’s insurance policy doesn’t cover death & dismemberment
Isis uses her magic to reassemble, embalm, and revive Osiris
Zombie Osiris becomes judge of the dead
Son, Horus, fights Set

5. Visual Imagery
Throne headdress – personification of the pharaoh’s power
Wings for protecting her young
Ankh
Star of Isis
Sirius
New Year
Gem on statue

6. Navigium Isidis – March 5

7. The festival Beginning of sailing season – grain to Rome
Statue carried to Great Harbor
Musicians and dancers
Roses strewn, trumpeters
High priest; sistrum
Sacred ship
Prayers and partying afterwards

8. Cult Worship Mystery religions Repentance
Baptism, education, fasting, ceremony
Magic and mystery
Meeting Isis
Life after death

9. Metamorphoses/The Golden Ass
Only Latin novel
Apuleius, 2nd century AD
Witchcraft trial – magically stealing love
Lucius and his curiosity
His adventure & goal
Another side of Rome
Saved by Isis
Joins her cult, can’t describe it