The Cult of Isis and Ancient Egyptomania in Campania

Abstract

The cult of Isis and ancient 'Egyptomania' in Campania need to be observed from an archaeological perspective,focusing on chronologies, social levels of patrons and contexts of origins of the images. Images probably related to a domestic cult should be distinguished from 'Nilotic' and 'Pharaonic' images, chronologically distinct and possessing different functions in Roman house. Images of Egypt - an 'other' world par excellence - help to understand specific elements of the figurative language in the Roman society