Funerary altar for a priestess of Isis
Funerary altar made by lulus Hermes for his wife Cantinea Procla. The woman can be identified as a priestess of Isis by some elements of her representation: the headgear (basileion) formed by two grain ears, surmounted by a snake - instead of the crescent moon worn by the simple initiated - the fringed cloak, the situla in her left hand; the right one held a sistrum, the musical instrument - a rattle - used during religious rites.
The two sides of the altar show the wicker basket that contained the instruments of sacrifice - a cista mystica - wrapped in the coils of a snake.
Rome, via Ostiense
End of the 1st century CE
Museo Nazionale Romano, Baths of Diocletian
Funerary altar for a priestess of Isis
Funerary altar made by lulus Hermes for his wife Cantinea Procla. The woman can be identified as a priestess of Isis by some elements of her representation: the headgear (basileion) formed by two grain ears, surmounted by a snake - instead of the crescent moon worn by the simple initiated - the fringed cloak, the situla in her left hand; the right one held a sistrum, the musical instrument - a rattle - used during religious rites.
The two sides of the altar show the wicker basket that contained the instruments of sacrifice - a cista mystica - wrapped in the coils of a snake.
Rome, via Ostiense
End of the 1st century CE
Museo Nazionale Romano, Baths of Diocletian