EAA2021: Abstract

Sacred contexts related to healing (sanatio) are particularly widespread in the whole of Etruria during the Late Republican and Early Imperial period. This paper will analyse the sacred landscape of Etruria between the 4th century BC and the 1st century AD, with special focus on healing cults in relation to agrarian and chthonic cults. The aim is to understand the topographical features as well as the political, commercial and social motivations that were the driving force for the establishment of these cults. A thorough analysis of the votive material by comparing stylistic and stratigraphic data led to a more precise dating of the sites, indicating that the sacred areas that were thought to have been abandoned in the 2nd century BC were in use until at least the Early Imperial Period. In this light, prominent sacred contexts in urban and non-urban areas, especially Veio, Tarquinia, Volsinii Novi and Vulci, will be redefined.

Healing Cults, Roman Etruria, Roman Cults, Veio, Volsinii Novi

 Abstract (PDF)

Salvatore De Vincenzo¹