Roman, C.E. 100 - 200 Bronze, H: 7 1/2 in. 71.AB.180 Above photo © Joan Ann Lansberry
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Isis as Magician @ Brooklyn Museum
"The Egyptian goddess Isis was adopted into Roman religion in the first century A.D. Isis was an ancient goddess with a wide range of powers, including the ability to offer her followers a better afterlife. In Roman religion, Isis was often merged with other Roman goddesses, creating new composite deities. This statuette portrays Isis combined with Fortuna, a fertility goddess who controlled the fate of both individuals and cities. This statuette of Isis-Fortuna has attributes of each goddess. She wears the elaborate headdress of Isis, a lunar disk between horns or feathers, and the front of her long dress is tied in a knot on her chest, the so-called Isis knot. She also holds the usual attributes of Fortuna. The rudder in her right hand refers to her control over the course of human lives, and the cornucopia in her left arm is a symbol of abundance and prosperity." |