TEMPLES
Religious
beliefs in Pompeii were very evident as the city was excavated. Both in the
domus and in the temples, the religious influence for ancient Romans was
shown. There were three temples in Pompeii: The Temple of Apollo, the
Temple of Jupiter and the Temple of Isis. The Temple of Apollo was built in the
third century BC. Originally it was built with Ionic columns but these were
changed to Corinthian columns. The Temple of Jupiter was built in the second century
BC. The temple includes a covered marketplace, the Marcellum, in which shops
would be set up.
The Temple of Isis was built in the second century BC, and it is the best preserved temple of the three. During the earthquake of 62AD the temple was damaged but it was almost fully repaired at the time of the eruption. According to an inscription, the renovations were funded by a freed slave in the name of his six year old son. The citizens of Pompeii were so thankful for this that the young boy was elected in senate. This was uncommon as freedmen were not allowed to be involved in politics.
The cult of Isis was largely popular in Pompeii, because the Roman Empire was expanding into Europe during this time. She was an Egyptian deity, but was adopted by both the Romans and the Greeks after Alexander the Great conquered Egypt. Isis was seen as a goddess of fertility, the seasons, healing the sick, and sailing. In an ancient Egyptian myth, Isis was said to bring her husband back to life, promoting immortality. Because of these aspects Isis related to and was supported by Romans of many different walks of life; women because of her fertility, men due to the seasons (for crops) and sailing, and the poor due to her promise of immortality. Also, as many inhabitants of Pompeii were heavily dependent on the sea for their livelihoods, Isis was appealing as she promised stable waters overcoming the treacherous. This was vital to the Romans as they were reliant on the seas to travel, work, trade, and eat. The worship of Isis was even accepted by the noble, explaining the extravagant treasures found inside the temple.
The temple was built on a raised platform and faced east, causing it to be magnificently lit up by the morning sun. The temple, although small, contained a mix of Roman, Greek and Egyptian features. This was not unusual as the Roman architectural style of that time included the borrowing and combination of different cultural influences, as well as ornate designs and bold colours. Beside the temple was a smaller roofless structure that could have held the sacred water of the Nile, which would have been used in ceremonies. There was also a smaller room in the temple which may have been a meeting place, and it contained a marble table for sharing sacred meals.
The Temple of Isis was built in the second century BC, and it is the best preserved temple of the three. During the earthquake of 62AD the temple was damaged but it was almost fully repaired at the time of the eruption. According to an inscription, the renovations were funded by a freed slave in the name of his six year old son. The citizens of Pompeii were so thankful for this that the young boy was elected in senate. This was uncommon as freedmen were not allowed to be involved in politics.
The cult of Isis was largely popular in Pompeii, because the Roman Empire was expanding into Europe during this time. She was an Egyptian deity, but was adopted by both the Romans and the Greeks after Alexander the Great conquered Egypt. Isis was seen as a goddess of fertility, the seasons, healing the sick, and sailing. In an ancient Egyptian myth, Isis was said to bring her husband back to life, promoting immortality. Because of these aspects Isis related to and was supported by Romans of many different walks of life; women because of her fertility, men due to the seasons (for crops) and sailing, and the poor due to her promise of immortality. Also, as many inhabitants of Pompeii were heavily dependent on the sea for their livelihoods, Isis was appealing as she promised stable waters overcoming the treacherous. This was vital to the Romans as they were reliant on the seas to travel, work, trade, and eat. The worship of Isis was even accepted by the noble, explaining the extravagant treasures found inside the temple.
The temple was built on a raised platform and faced east, causing it to be magnificently lit up by the morning sun. The temple, although small, contained a mix of Roman, Greek and Egyptian features. This was not unusual as the Roman architectural style of that time included the borrowing and combination of different cultural influences, as well as ornate designs and bold colours. Beside the temple was a smaller roofless structure that could have held the sacred water of the Nile, which would have been used in ceremonies. There was also a smaller room in the temple which may have been a meeting place, and it contained a marble table for sharing sacred meals.
SIGNIFICANCE
The temple of Isis is significant as it tells us about the belief system and knowledge of the wider world that the Romans had. The different cultural influences from the Greeks and Egyptians of the time are included in this, and the goddess Isis was primarily and Egyptian deity. This reinforces that Romans had interest in other cultures and were well travelled, which is also shown through the structure holding water from the Nile river. They adopted many different features and techniques when the Roman empire spread. The reason for Isis' popularity is also very significant as she was relatable to many different people from different backgrounds. Noblemen and slaves alike could worship Isis and this is of importance because in many other aspects of Roman life, the social classes were separated, for example where they lived. The Temple of Isis created a community in Pompeii where people worshipped and shared meals. We would not have known this without the Mount Vesuvius eruption and the extent to which it preserved the building.