Very significant part of Roman life.

2. Other common forms of guardian spirits were known as the Genius and The Penate. The genius ensured the future of the family line and stood for the head of the household and the penates (statues or paintings representing the larder or food store) were placed on the table at meal time in thanks and respect for the food the family was about to eat. • Each household had a shrine in addition to the guardian spirit. Offerings of incense flowers, fruit and special cakes were made at the shrine.

3. Very significant part of Roman life. • Forms of household religions include divine spirits known as Lares. These lares were said to protect each member of the home and provide a sense of security. Lares were the ‘gods of farmland’. They were associated with spirits of the deceased and were worshipped at the family hearth. • Lares were portrayed as the a youth like figure, either standing in motion or holding objects of prosperity. • There were three forms of Lares found in Pompeii: → Domestic Lares... Were worshipped at the family hearth (fireplace) at any important family occasion, feast or event. The hearth would be decorated with garlands, and offerings made of first fruits. It was the duty of the male head of the family to maintain the household shrine known as the “lararium.” → Public Lares... Possibly worshipped in the Sanctuary of the Public Lares in the Forum → Lares compitales... ‘Guardian spirits of crossroads’ - Worshipped at neighbourhood shrines located at the intersection of four streets.

4. The temple of Isis is a temple dedicated to the goddess Isis, who is the Egyptian goddess who was portrayed as the ideal mother and wife as well as being depicted as the matron of nature and magic. Worshipers of Isis would travel to this temple so that they may worship her and provide her with gifts so that she would watch over them. • The temple of Isis was a small ornate temple on a high platform with a stone stair case and four Corinthian columns at the front. The temple also consisted of a hall for public ceremonies, and platforms for statues of the Egyptian gods Isis, Osiris and Horus. There were also large rooms for the secret meetings, living quarters for the priests, and a small roofless structure or (purgatorium) that stored Nile water. The priests of Isis would use that water to cleanse themselves before worship. • Worshipers of Isis met at the temple twice a day for special services. The first was at dawn to celebrate the rising of the sun, symbloising the rebirth of Osiris. The second was in the early afternoon, a ceremony involving the blessing of the Nile water as the source of all life. • Inside were sculptures and paintings of Isis surrounding its entire area. These artefacts now remain at museums all around the world. Still inside the temple are extensive mythological scenes and large shrines. These scenes depict Isis greeting slaves and women, which could mean that these slaves and women made up the entirety of the cult.

5. Temple of Jupiter Temple of Isis

6. The Temple of Jupiter was a temple located in Roman Pompeii, at the north end of its forum. It was initially dedicated to the god Jupiter but was later discovered to be built in honour of other gods as well, including Juno and Minerva triad , it was erected in the mid second century BC at the same time as the temple of Apollo was being renovated. Jupiter was the ruler of the gods and the protector of Rome, he was also god of the sky and thunder. His temple was the centre of Roman Religion and the cult of state. • The temple was of pure Italic style, the temple was constructed on a high base, measuring 10 feet in height, 121 feet in length, and 56 feet in width, with a double flight of stairs at the entrance. Inside the temple lay the "cella", accessible only to the priests, and which contained three niches at its far end. Theses niches were occupied by statues of Juno, Jupiter, and Minerva. In 62 C.E. • Every January, important citizens gathered at this temple to celebrate the New Year. A bull was sacrificed and prayers uttered for the safety of the state. The ceremony did not include the general population, and was conducted only by the priests.

7. Throughout the excavation of Pompeii, archaeologists have come across many tombs which have been under volcanic debris. Unfortunately, the tombs from Herculaneum have not yet been excavated. All tombs had monuments and inscriptions to give us the name and rank of the buried person, and also provide us with information about their lives, public works and activities. • Evidence from the tombs describe that there were very few children or slaves represented. The rich had monuments which demonstrated the importance of their public life in Pompeii, for example the tomb of UmbriciusScaurus shows scenes from gladiatorial games give in his honour. • Each tomb was presented and decorated in a different way; it all depends on the life of the deceased person. Many styles came from the influence of the Greeks and Romans.

8. Imperial cults • The imperial cult allowed citizens to worship the emperor and pay him respects as a sign of loyalty and to move upwards within society. • Two of the main temples is the Temple of Vespasian which is the centre of the imperial cult and the Temple of Augustan Fortune which was dedicated to the emperor Fortuna Augusta who was the goddess of abundance.

9. Foreign cults • The foreign cults were adopted into the beliefs and practices of Pompeii and Herculaneum by the Romans and also via trade links. • The cult of Isis • The cult of Isis was brought to Pompeii and Herculaneum by Italian merchants. It was one of the most popular followed cults, especially among women, slaves and the upper class. • Isis was referred to as a mother goddess who upheld fertility, healing the sick and offer her followers immortality. • The temple was interesting as it reflected architectural features from the Greek, Roman and Egyptian cultures. • Located beside the alter of the temple was a purgatorium which held the sacred Nile water. • Sacred meetings and ritual banquets also took place in the court yard of the temple. There were two daily ceremonies which took place at the temple, the first was occurred before sunrise and honoured the re-birth of Osiris the husband of Isis and the second took place in the afternoon and was conducted to thank Isis for the blessing of the sacred Nile water.

10. The cult of Sabazius • Sabazius was the god of vegetation and was brought to Pompeii and Herculaneum from Greece and Asia Minor. • Evidence of his worship can be found in the garden at region 2 of Pompeii. • Objects which have been discovered relating to the cult of Sabazius include two bronze hands, a bronze lamp, a small bronze dog and a bronze statue of a youth in a tunic. • The cult of Lakshmi • Lakshmi was the goddess of beauty, wealth and fertility. This cult was brought to Pompeii and Herculaneum through India. • Jewish and Christian existence • Inscriptions and paintings suggest the existence of Jewish people from the biblical names of Mary and Martha which were discovered on walls and inscriptions. • There is little evidence to support the existence of Christians however there have been sightings of the word ‘Christian’ scratched onto a wall as well as a manipulation of the cross. However it is still debated whether Christians did exist in Pompeii and Herculaneum.