A fascinating new exhibition at Naples' National Archaeological Museum examines the influence Egypt has had on Western culture since ancient times .
The show, which runs until February 28, is entitled Egittomania - Egyptomania - a term describing the fascination with all things Egyptian that started with the Greeks and Romans .
It features a number of archaeological finds that have never been shown in public before - both ancient Egyptian originals and subsequent Greek and Roman 'copies' .
Much of the material was uncovered recently at the ancient Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, near Naples, and at a shrine in the Campania town of Benevento. At the Benevento site archaeologists have discovered the richest cache of Ancient Egyptian remains ever found outside Egypt .
A large part of the 400-plus exhibits reveal how Egyptian influences were incorporated into Roman furniture, painting, gardens and jewellery in Pompeii and Herculaneum. The stars of the show are works from the temple of Isis at Pompeii, which was built in the second century BC. These include splendid frescoes, statues and religious objects linked to the cult .
Worship of the goddess, who represented the archetypical wife and mother, became especially fashionable among Romans after Emperor Augustus assumed control of Egypt by defeating Mark Antony and Cleopatra .
There are also sculptures, musical instruments and trinkets found in Pompeian homes that experts say are typical of the cult and show how popular it was. Pompeii's temple of Isis also helped fuel interest in Egyptian culture in modern times after its re-discovery in 1760 .
A visit to the site is said to have given Mozart inspiration for one of his best-loved operas, The Magic Flute, and the set of its premiere in 1791 in Vienna. On show are original drawings of scenes from the first performances of the opera .
There are also samples of 18th- and 19th-century Egyptian-style works of art and objects made by Campania craftsmen, including some delightful Capodimonte vases and ceramics .
