1 Earliest Rome

12. R E L I G I O U S G R O U P S
the walls of a corridor leading to what was probably the meeting-place of an
Isiac conlrarernity. Wall-paintings found with them show Isiac scenes.
The graffiti illustrate both the divine support gained by Isiac initiates and
their social status. Those named, all male (see 12.4d), have Greek-sounding
names characteristic of slaves (a fact made explicit in one case); only one
Roman citizen (Oppius Rufus) is mentioned, and that in an obscene context.
See further: Vol. 1, 266; Wild (1984) 1815 (plan); Darsy (1968) 45-50
(paintings).
Darsy (1968), reprinted in Malaise (1972a) 142 whose numbering (a-m) is used here;
substantially improved by Solin (1982) and Volpe (1982)
a
b Initiate 1
of the god .
c
d You, Isis, you are salvation to yours,
e Phosphor.
f Believe in her, do not succumb. Provided that you are not guilty, be of good cheer,
g I am heard through the initiate. 2
h Amphio the initiate 1
, .. . .
i I have made the vow; if I leave safely, they will look inside their
bottles of wine. 3
j Daedalus . . . "*
k
I the sickness of Theonas.
Epaphra, boy, sharer.'
Agrianusneos. 5
Sotericus Oppius.
Pamphilus.
m I fuck Faustus [and] Oppius Rufus. I ask you, bugger me.