Le aree sacre di età romana di Volsinii Novi (Bolsena)

Abstract

With this contribution an attempt has been made to shed light on the real archaeological consistency of the numerous sacred areas hypothesized in the territory of Volsinii Novi based mainly on old excavations. Following a more critical analysis, however, it seems that only some of these contexts could really be interpreted in a sacred sense, highlighting a radical reorganization of the previous hypothesis of a widespread sacred occupation of the territory of Volsinii.
Another data of particular interest, which emerges from the observation of the chronology of these sacred contexts, is related to the beginning of their frequentation, which seems to be contextual to the foundation of the center of Volsinii.
As far as cults are concerned, on the basis of the data returned by the contexts that can be considered sacred with greater justification, an important role seems to have been played by cults of agrarian and chthonian matrix, as well as linked to the sphere of sanatio.

Keywords: Volsinii Novi, Romanization, Roman Etruria, Roman cults, Elogia Tarquiniensia