According to Egyptian myth the goddess Isis knew the secrets of immortality and raised her husband, Osiris, from the dead. In Egypt, people regularly left small bronze figures like this one at temples or funereal sites in order to attract the deity represented. This statuette of Isis dates to the 1st century A.D., when Rome ruled over Egypt. The artistic traditions of both cultures are evident in its design. Her stiff stance is Egyptian, but the sculpture's naturalism is characteristic of Roman Imperial art. Isis's eyes, broad upper lip, and rounded cheeks give her face a Roman portrait quality. Much of her gown is close-fitting to her body, then falls loosely over her legs.
In her left hand Isis holds her magical dart-shaped serpent, a reference to the power of her knowledge of immortality. In her right hand is a jug, presumably of sacred water, associated with accomplished magicians. Isis wears the combined crown of Upper and Lower Egypt, indicating her dominion over both. At the base of her crown a vulture wraps it's wings around her head, symbolizing her protective powers. At her bust is an amulet known as an Isis-knot, a fertility symbol and a reference to her life-giving powers.
from the World Mythology slide set, MIA Classroom Materials Department
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<P>According to Egyptian myth the goddess Isis knew the secrets of immortality and raised her husband, Osiris, from the dead. In Egypt, people regularly left small bronze figures like this one at temples or funereal sites in order to attract the deity represented. This statuette of Isis dates to the 1st century A.D., when Rome ruled over Egypt. The artistic traditions of both cultures are evident in its design. Her stiff stance is Egyptian, but the sculpture's naturalism is characteristic of Roman Imperial art. Isis's eyes, broad upper lip, and rounded cheeks give her face a Roman portrait quality. Much of her gown is close-fitting to her body, then falls loosely over her legs.</P><P>In her left hand Isis holds her magical dart-shaped serpent, a reference to the power of her knowledge of immortality. In her right hand is a jug, presumably of sacred water, associated with accomplished magicians. Isis wears the combined crown of Upper and Lower Egypt, indicating her dominion over both. At the base of her crown a vulture wraps it's wings around her head, symbolizing her protective powers. At her bust is an amulet known as an Isis-knot, a fertility symbol and a reference to her life-giving powers.</P><P>from the <i>World Mythology</i> slide set, MIA Classroom Materials Department</P>
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