THe temple
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The Temple of Isis dates back to the 2nd century BC, approximately sometime after 105 BC. Numerius Popidius Ampliatus rebuilt it in 62 AD, in the name of his son Celsinus. This is found in an inscription near the entrance (right). The style of architecture is probably from the time of the Roman colony. Although the temple was dedicated to an Egyptian goddess, it is not an Eyptian styled temple. However, the temple did differ from the normal layout of a Roman or Greek temple.
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To the right is the floor plan of the Temple of Isis. (A) is the entrance, (B) is the entrance to the cella, and (C) is where the statues of Isis and Osiris would have been located. The main altar of the temple is found at (D), with a second altar found at (E). The Purgatorium is located at (F), and (G) is known as the "Ekklesiasterion," which was a portico where the worshippers would gather. (I) is where the living quarters of the priests and priestesses would have been.
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The temple itself rests on a raised podium in the center of a courtyard that has a four-sided portico. The steps are in the front of the structure, with a narrow stairway to the left of the temple to go to the cella. The back wall of the temple had raised pedestals, where the statues of Isis and Osiris are supported.The entrance to the temple is from the north, and has an oblong cella, or small chamber. The east side of the temple had a portico with six columns.
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The main altar was in the front of the temple, near the steps in front of the temple. This main altar was used for most sacrifices to the goddess, and remains of bones and ash have been found on it. Two smaller altars were also in the temple, and were most likely used for sacrifices to other gods and goddesses, whose pictures were found within other areas of the temple. A third altar is also located near the temple, and five others were between the columns. Two pits are also in the temple, which were most likely used to collect the refuse of sacrifices.