This temple was built for the cult of Isis, an ancient Egyptian deity by origin, whose cult spread throughout the Roman Empire.

The Temple to Isis was first built in the Second Century B.C. After the big disaster in the year of 79, it was completely rebuilt, and N. Popidius Celsion was elected as its decurium despite his young age - only 6 years. One wonders how it looked before, it it resembled the ancient Egyptian temples at all.

When it was found in the 1764-1766, the building, decoration and sacred furniture were all perfectly preserved! Paintings and sculptures were taken to the Naples museum where they are now kept.

The temple was well protected by its high walls. Nothing could be seen from the street, where the entrances was placed. It faces east and was placed high up on a podium. There were six columns to the Atrium and in the 'cella' (the most sacred place) was a small, open room where all the sacred utensils and symbols pertaining to the worship of the Goddess, were housed. At each side of this 'cella' were niches for statues of Isis. To the north side of the main stairs was another altar upon which were kept the remains of the offerings.

Behind the temple was a hall where the faithful and initiated gathered. This was built on ground which originally belonged to the Samnite palaestra. To the south is the hall of the priests and in the corner of the enclosure is a small temple which opens up to a pillar arcade which in its turn leads to the cistern, an undergound cavity, where the water from the Nile was kept.

Very soon there will be boards where Roman Followers of Isis can leave offerings and talk between themselves.

The image of the Temple of Isis at Pompeii was courtecy by:

Decadence Augustus