Photo Gallery

Photo 9.1

This Pompeian figurine depicts Isis enthroned, holding a cornucopia of plenty.

Photos 9.2 through 9.9

Each of these photos of Pompeian artifacts (except photo 9.2, which is a modern model) illustrates an aspect of Isis-devotion.

• Photo 9.2 models the temple of Isis as it would have looked prior to the eruption (and notice the large banquet room on the premises of the temple, to the right of the photo).
• A ceremony of Isis-worship is depicted in the fresco of photo 9.3.
• Photos 9.4 through to 9.6 all depict frescos from the temple of Isis that depict priests of Isis.
• Another fresco of a priest of Isis is shown in photo 9.7 (from the House of Octavius Quartio).
• Each priest depicted in photos 9.6 and 9.7 is holding a sistrum — a kind of rattle that was used in the worship of Isis.
• Pompeian décor often featured a sistrum, as in photo 9.8 (décor from the wall of the temple of Isis in Pompeii) and photo 9.9 (décor from the wall of the House of the Golden Cupid).

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Class Activities

To better understand Isis devotion, have students read Colossians 1:15-20 and rewrite it as if it had been written by an Isis devotee. What parts of that text would be different? What parts would remain largely the same?

Discussion Questions

1. What are some similarities and differences between Isis-devotion and early Jesus-devotion? Link your ideas to particular texts of the New Testament.
2. What aspects of the “Corinthian” understanding of the resurrection did Paul address in 1 Corinthians? Does the “Corinthian” view of resurrection have much of a foothold today?