STATUE OF A PRIESTESS OF ISIS, C. 200 CE. PALAZZO CIAMPOLI, TAORMINA Ancient Tauromenium was the centre of a major cult centre of the Roman Egyptian gods Isis and Serapis, one of the most important centres in the Mediterranean. None of the Serapeum survives today, but this statue and various other pieces of decoration have been found in excavations near the church of S. Pancrazio. This statue has a particular delicacy and grace in its carving. The priestess of Isis is identifiable by the famous Isaic knot in her dress, between her breasts. Her broken right arm would have held a sistrum or ceremonial rattle, and her left hand holds a rounded cista which contained items and substances used in the initiation of new members into the mystery cult of Isis.
A magnificent #statue of a #priestess of #Isis, from the #Serapeum of #Tauromenium, today's #Taormina, from around 200 CE. The knot in her dress identifies her. She's holding a cista or container indicating that she is about to initiate a believer into the Isaic mystery cult. #AncientBluesky 🏺
