The Religion of the Etruscans

Devotion to religion was the distinguishing characteristic of the Etruscan people, the most powerful civilization of Italy in the Archaic period. From a very early date, Etruscan religion spread its influence into Roman society, especially with the practice of divination. The Etruscan priest Spurinna, to give a well-known example, warned Caesar to beware the Ides of March. Yet despite the importance of religion in Etruscan life, there are relatively few modern comprehensive studies of Etruscan religion, and none in English. This volume seeks to fill that deficiency by bringing together essays by leading scholars that collectively provide a state-of-the-art overview of Etruscan religion. The eight essays in this book cover all of the most important topics in Etruscan religion, including the Etruscan pantheon and the roles of the gods, the roles of priests and divinatory practices, votive rituals, liturgical literature, sacred spaces and temples, and burial and the afterlife. In addition to the essays, the book contains valuable supporting materials, including the first English translation of an Etruscan Brontoscopic Calendar (which guided priests in making divinations), Greek and Latin sources about Etruscan religion (in the original language and English translation), a concordance to Etruscan inscriptions, and a glossary. Nearly 150 black and white photographs and drawings illustrate surviving Etruscan artefacts and inscriptions, as well as temple floor plans and reconstructions.

devotion To Religion Was The Distinguishing Characteristic Of The Etruscan People, The Most Powerful Civilization Of Italy In The Archaic Period. From A Very Early Date, Etruscan Religion Spread Its Influence Into Roman Society, Especially With The Practice Of Divination. The Etruscan Priest Spurinna, To Give A Well-known Example, Warned Caesar To Beware The Ides Of March. Yet Despite The Importance Of Religion In Etruscan Life, There Are Relatively Few Modern Comprehensive Studies Of Etruscan Religion, And None In English. This Volume Seeks To Fill That Deficiency By Bringing Together Essays By Leading Scholars That Collectively Provide A State-of-the-art Overview Of Etruscan Religion.
The Eight Essays In This Book Cover All Of The Most Important Topics In Etruscan Religion, Including The Etruscan Pantheon And The Roles Of The Gods, The Roles Of Priests And Divinatory Practices, Votive Rituals, Liturgical Literature, Sacred Spaces And Temples, And Burial And The Afterlife. In Addition To The Essays, The Book Contains Valuable Supporting Materials, Including The First English Translation Of An Etruscan Brontoscopic Calendar (which Guided Priests In Making Divinations), Greek And Latin Sources About Etruscan Religion (in The Original Language And English Translation), A Concordance To Etruscan Inscriptions, And A Glossary. Nearly 150 Black And White Photographs And Drawings Illustrate Surviving Etruscan Artifacts And Inscriptions, As Well As Temple Floor Plans And Reconstructions.

Devotion to religion was the distinguishing characteristic of the Etruscan people, the most powerful civilization of Italy in the Archaic period. From a very early date, Etruscan religion spread its influence into Roman society, especially with the practice of divination. The Etruscan priest Spurinna, to give a well-known example, warned Caesar to beware the Ides of March. Yet despite the importance of religion in Etruscan life, there are relatively few modern comprehensive studies of Etruscan religion, and none in English. This volume seeks to fill that deficiency by bringing together essays by leading scholars that collectively provide a state-of-the-art overview of religion in ancient Etruria. The eight essays in this book cover all of the most important topics in Etruscan religion, including the Etruscan pantheon and the roles of the gods, the roles of priests and divinatory practices, votive rituals, liturgical literature, sacred spaces and temples, and burial and the afterlife. In addition to the essays, the book contains valuable supporting materials, including the first English translation of an Etruscan Brontoscopic Calendar (which guided priests in making divinations), Greek and Latin sources about Etruscan religion (in the original language and English translation), and a glossary. Nearly 150 black and white photographs and drawings illustrate surviving Etruscan artifacts and inscriptions, as well as temple floor plans and reconstructions. Introduction : the history of the study of Etruscan religion / Nancy Thomson de Grummond Etruscan inscriptions and Etruscan religion / Larissa Bonfante Prophets and priests / Nancy Thomson de Grummond Gods in harmony : the Etruscan pantheon / Erika Simon The grave and beyond in Etruscan religion / Ingrid Krauskopf Votive offerings in Etruscan religion / Jean MacIntosh Turfa Ritual space and boundaries in Etruscan religion / Ingrid E.M. Edlund-Berry Sacred architecture and the religion of the Etruscans / Giovanni Colonna. Includes information on Aphrodite, Apollo, Apulu, Artumes, Astarte, Athena, Atunis, birds, calendars, children, divination, funerary ritual, Hercules, Jupiter, lightning, Mars, Minerva, Neptune, Odysseus, Persephone, Pliny the Elder, prophecy, Pyrgi, Satyrs, Tages, Tarquinii, temples, thunder, Turan, Uni, Vei, Veii, Vulci, etc