.

Detail from a papyrus showing the Egyptian representation of Isis holding a sceptre in her right hand and an ankh in her left.

Stage 19: Īsis

It's spring-festival time in Alexandria. In honour of the goddess Isis, one of the most important Egyptian deities, there's going to be a splendid procession from the Temple of Isis to the harbour. Quintus and Lucia are invited along to watch by friends of Barbillus, who then invites Aristo and Quintus to a very Egyptian hunting party.

Story explorers

A black Greek 5th century vase with a handle either side and showing Sapho playing a lyre.
Page 142

diēs fēstus: familia Graeca

Time to meet Aristo, Galatea and Helena, a family of writers who all have very different interests!

Four priests carry a platform at shoulder height on which stands a golden statue of Isis.
Page 144

diēs fēstus: pompa

It’s time for the procession! But who’s that coming down the street?

Aristo, Lucia and Helena watch the procession. There are girls scattering roses on the floor and behind them man play trumpets.
Page 146

diēs fēstus: in turbā

A hungry donkey causes trouble in the crowd – is it time for Aristo to consider a new genre?

A marble sculpture of Atlas carrying the globe of the heavens, the constellation Aries (the Ram) can be seen towards the left, across three narrow parallel lines that mark the path of the Sun.
Page 148

vēnātiō I

With spears and sandwiches packed we set off for Barbillus' country estate for a spot of hunting. The stars, however, do not bode well...

A mosaic showing a hunt for crocodiles and hippos in the Nile.
Page 149

vēnātiō II

Crocodile-filled waters and humans don't mix.

A mosaic from the port of Ostia showing a ship with sail and oars.
Page 152
Practising the Language

pīrātae

Volubilis describes how he was kidnapped off the coast of Egypt.

Language activities

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Sorting Words

Infinitive or imperative?

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Sorting Words

Which tense?

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Sorting Words

Comparison

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Sorting Words

Noun or verb?

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Sorting Words

Which case?

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Sorting Words

Which gender?