"Isis was portrayed not only as partly serpentine, but also holding a cobra, or with two large serpents. Like Asclepius who appears ubiquitiously holding a staff around which is curled a serpent, Isis is also imagined as an upraised cobra with its hood extended. It is now clear that the Egyptian Isis cult was active in Rome, especially in the coastal cities, like Venice, ancient Ostia, and particularly Aquileia."(Good and Evil Serpent, page 132)