stage 19 culture

Question 1

what was Isis the goddess of? Who were her husband and son?

Answer 1

• goddess of new life after death (nile flooding) for her followers, protector of ships
• husband/brother: Osiris
• son: horus

Question 2

when did the festival of Isis take place in Alexandria?

Answer 2

beginning of spring/ sailing season - march 5

Question 3

festival of Isis (procession, music, special ship)

Answer 3

procession:
- dancers
- musicians with pipes, trumpets, castanets
- female attendants scattering roses
- priests carrying a statue of Isis on their shoulders
- more priests, priestesses and trumpeters
- high priest with sistrum (rattle)

special boat:
- new boat in the harbor, shaped like a goose neck, covered in gold plates
- dedicated to isis - gifts to her placed on the ship
- boat cut loose and carried by the wind out to sea

Question 4

pros of being in the Isiaci (brotherhood of Isis)

Answer 4

• promised life after death
• worship/closeness to Isis
• rid of sins from the past
• sense of community

Question 5

cons of being in Isiaci (brotherhood of Isis)

Answer 5

• fasting as part of initiation
• keeping secrets about the group
• threat of punishment if found out
• pilgrimage