Collection: Macquarie University History Museum
Bronze Bust of Isis
| Accession # | MU4488 |
| Creator | |
| Culture | Roman |
| Period | |
| Date | c. 1st Century BCE - 1st Century CE |
| Provenance | Unknown |
| Material/s | Bronze |
| Dimensions | 9.3cm (h) x 5.8cm (w) x 2.3cm (d) |
| Collection | Macquarie University History Museum |
| Source | Macquarie University, MAC |
| Classification |
Click here to inspect 3d item.
MU4488 is a small bronze bust of the Egyptian goddess Isis depicted in the Graeco-Roman style. Her soft facial features, ringleted hairstyle and style of garments are all typical of this type of representation. MU4488 is intact however, there are clear signs of oxidization as a green rust-like patina can be observed on the surface of the object, especially on the chest and headdress of the of the bust.
Isis is depicted with a garment knotted across her chest with her breasts exposed and wearing a headdress with a lotus blossom. The lotus blossom was an Egyptian symbol related to the concepts of life and rebirth. Isis was one of the most important goddesses in Ancient Egypt being closely tied to funerary rituals and the afterlife. The popularity of the goddess and the worship of her mystical cult spread throughout the Mediterranean and became widely popular at Pompeii and Herculaneum. The cult of Isis began as a secret cult popular among the lower classes however it quickly grew to become a highly structured and popular public religion.
Isis is depicted with a garment knotted across her chest with her breasts exposed and wearing a headdress with a lotus blossom. The lotus blossom was an Egyptian symbol related to the concepts of life and rebirth. Isis was one of the most important goddesses in Ancient Egypt being closely tied to funerary rituals and the afterlife. The popularity of the goddess and the worship of her mystical cult spread throughout the Mediterranean and became widely popular at Pompeii and Herculaneum. The cult of Isis began as a secret cult popular among the lower classes however it quickly grew to become a highly structured and popular public religion.
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Syllabus Links
- Stage 6 HSC Core Study. Cities of Vesuvius – Investigating and interpreting the sources for Pompeii and Herculaneum
- The social structure; men, women, freedman and slaves (ACHAH375)
- Religion; household gods, temples, foreign cults and religions, tombs (ACHAH376)
- The influence of Greek and Egyptian cultures; art and architecture (ACHAH378)
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Historical Concepts and Skills; Analysis and use of sources
- Explain the meaning and value of sources for an historical inquiry (ACHAH007, ACHAH009)
- Analyse sources to identify and account for the different perspectives of individuals and groups in the past (ACHAH010)
- Analyse and synthesise evidence from different types of sources to develop reasoned claims (ACHAH008)
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Historical Concepts and Skills; Historical Interpretation
- Form judgements about historical significance, recognising that significance may be attributed for different purposes
- Analyse and evaluate contested interpretations and representations of the past (ACHAH011, ACHAH012)
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Historical Concepts and Skills; Historical investigation and research
- Use evidence from a range of sources to inform investigation and research (ACHAH005)
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Historical Concepts and Skills; Explanation and communication
- Develop texts, particularly historical accounts and arguments, supported by relevant evidence from sources (ACHAH013)
- Stage 6 HSC Core Study. Cities of Vesuvius – Investigating and interpreting the sources for Pompeii and Herculaneum
- Educational Resources
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Online Resources
- Karoglou, K. (2013), “Mystery Cults in the Greek and Roman World.” In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York; The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000,
- Moser, C. (2007), “Eastern Religions in the Roman World.” In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York; The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000
- Museuo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli - Temple of Isis
- Temple of Isis, Pompeii
- Pompeii Ruins - Temples of Pompeii
- INTRODUCTORY SOURCE - Ideas Roadshow; Herculaneum Uncovered – A Conversation with Andrew Wallace-Hadrill
- INTRODUCTORY SOURCE - Pompeii Bibliography and Mapping Project
- INTRODUCTORY SOURCE – PompeiiinPictures
- INTRODUCTORY SOURCE – HerculaneuminPictures
- INTRODUCTORY SOURCE – Herculaneum Panoramas
- RECENT DISCOVERIES – Instagram account and updates from excavations at regio. V at Pompeii
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Bibliography/References
- Amery, C. & Curran, B., (2002), The Lost World of Pompeii, Los Angeles.
- Clarke, J.R., (2003), Art in the Lives of Ordinary Romans, Berkley.
- Cooley, E. & Cooley, M.G.L., (2013), Pompeii and Herculaneum A Source Book, London, p. 3-9.
- Crane, G.S., (date unknown), Perseus Digital Library
- Dunn, J. & Dunn, B., (date unknown), PompeiiinPictures
- Hackworth Peterson, L., (2006), The Freedman in Roman Art and Art History, Cambridge.
- Ideas Roadshow, (2013), “Herculaneum Uncovered – A Conversation with Andrew Wallace-Hadrill"
- Karoglou, K. (2013), “Mystery Cults in the Greek and Roman World.” In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York; The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Moser, C. (2007), “Eastern Religions in the Roman World.” In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York; The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000
- Museuo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli, (2016), “Temple of Isis”
- Tristant, Y. & Ryan, E. (eds.) (2017), Death is Only the Beginning, Oxford, cat.67, p. 280-281.
- SELECT ANCIENT SOURCES
- Apuleius, Metamorphoses 9.10.
- Plutarch, Moralia 352b–e
Cite this page
Macquarie University History Museum (2020). Bronze Bust of Isis, MU4488. //objectbasedlearning.com/Macquarie-University-History-Museum/MU4488 (accessed on: 14 June 2020).Rights & Permissions
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