Proper worship of the gods was believed to ensure peace, fertility and prosperity. All citizens were expected to be involved in religious rituals as they were believed to be necessary to win the favour of the gods. The Roman State Cult was centred on the worship of the gods Jupiter, the protector of the state, Juno, protector of women and Minerva, patroness of craftsmen. From the time of Augustus, an imperial cult developed under the influence of Greek hero cults and concepts of divine kingship. The emperor was worshipped at both Pompeii and Herculaneum and Augustales, who were the priests of Augustus, were appointed to administer the cult. …show more content…
The cult of Isis was popular among Pompeians as she was the protector of women and children. At the Temple of Isis, there were daily prayers and rituals and throughout the year there were great festivals commemorating Isis' rescue and restoration of Osiris. In both Pompeii and Herculaneum, evidence has been uncovered of the cult of Sabazius, a god of from Trace (northern Greece) and Asia Minor. Objects associated with the cult were uncovered in Pompeii which included two hands holding a figure of