De Cybele à Isis

The diversity of topics addressed by the authors testifies to the popularity of the goddess Isis, but also the vast field of study she still offers. Relying in particular on recent discoveries, Pierre Tallet investigates the function of the conjurers of Serqet and the repellants of scorpions, auxiliaries of the goddess Isis, who accompanied the expedition to the Egyptian Sinai during the early reign of Amenemhat III. This goddess "expert in healing of venomous bites and stings" is obviously invoked in magical texts, and Pascal Vernus presents the literary work. The cult of Isis was very widespread throughout Egypt; Françoise Dunand offers us a synthesis of the Ptolemaic and Roman times. Three specific examples are the subject of detailed studies: the Isis of Aswan by Gihane Zaki, the Isis of Deir Chelouit by Christiane Zivie-Coche, and the Isis of Behbeit by Christine Favard-Meeks, all of whom are placed in their political or theological context. Isis also passed beyond the borders of Egypt, and Laurent Bricault analyzes the introduction of her cult in Rome. The goddess also attracted the interest of early Christians: Gérard Roquet presents Eusebius of Caesarea's etymography, grappling with the names of Isis and Osiris. Annie Forgeau evokes universal aspects of Isis through the centuries and civilizations. Finally, Philip Collombert closes the volume with a tongue-in-cheek comment. French text.