Isis Sothis the Demeter of Abundance

Isis Sothis the Demeter of Abundance

Demeter one of the twelve Olympian gods and the origin of Persephone's legend played a crucial role in the care of grain and crops symbolizing the fertility of the land and the existence of an agricultural society In ancient times it was believed that Demeter could control the growth of crops providing abundance to Egypt A colossal Roman bust discovered at the villa of Emperor Hadrian depicts a deity born from the fusion of Isis and Sothis The Isis-Sothis-Demeter bust made of marble and standing 1.2 meters tall was found in the palestra of Hadrian's Villa in Tivoli Italy around 1736 Her cult names include Citostrasse of grain the goddess of harvest guardian of grain and the fertility of the earth in ancient Greek religion and mythology 

The mystical rituals surrounding Demeter's cycle of life and death a fusion of Isis and Sothis were common in the Roman Empire This statue dates back to around the 17th century where Isis became a widely revered and influential goddess throughout the Greek and Roman lands From the Archaic period a time in Greek history spanning from approximately 800 BC until the second Persian invasion of Greece in 480 BC following the Greek Dark Ages and the subsequent Classical period certain cults spread more widely

The Basileion of Isis and the religious art of nabataean Petra / Statue of Isis at the National Archaeological Museum of Athens

The Greeks were familiar with Egyptian gods including Isis The cult of Isis and Serapis was spread by merchants and other travelers in the Mediterranean establishing itself in Greek port cities in the late 19th century India which gave rise to resurrection cults speaks of religious fusion The worship of Isis is one of the most significant examples of religious and cultural fusion in the world In Egyptian pyramid scriptures she is identified as Sothis wielding power over 

Monumental bust of the goddess Isis-Sothis-Demeter from the Palestra at Hadrian's Villa

Vatican Museums

the Nile River Some depictions reflect her association with other goddesses in new forms such as female statues adorned with elaborate headdresses The creation of a powerful new cult that impacted multiple cultures was repeatedly reinterpreted and blended with Greek gods in the Roman world even in art She was also widely worshipped as the mother of Horus in various local forms The worship of Isis occurred in numerous locations with her mention appearing consistently throughout Sculptures of Demeter often depict her in the Greek sculptural style with features borrowed from Egyptian and Greek traditions