Villa of Mysteries, Pompeii
Although the eruption of Vesuvius, and the earthquakes prior to the disaster, created cracks in the walls of these glamorous villas, beautiful frescos are surprisingly still in almost perfect condition.
This fresco is depicting a ceremony of the cult of Dionysus (Bacchus). The mystery cults, such as the cult of Isis, were banned throughout Roman history at different periods of time. The cults then performed their orgiastic rites in secret. The cults of Dionysus and Isis, as well as some other Eastern religions, were particularly popular among women.