Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art

About this Work

The last Ptolemaic ruler, Cleopatra VII, and her consort, Mark Antony, were defeated decisively by Octavian (who later became the first Roman emperor, Augustus) in 31 BCE. This victory resulted in the annexation of Egypt by Rome, accompanied by an influx of Egyptians in the capital city.

Rome was gripped by a fascination with Egyptian culture, including its religions. The cults of Serapis and Isis were particularly popular, in part because they were simultaneously familiar, due to their earlier Hellenization, and exotic. Temples and shrines to Serapis and to Isis were established across Roman Italy. The Temple of Isis at Pompeii is the best-known surviving example.

This engraved gemstone (which was set into a ring) exemplifies both the joint worship of Serapis and Isis and the popularity of the cult with the elite class.