Chronological Considerations on Healing Cults in Southern Etruria during the Roman Period

Abstract

The widespread abandonment of sacred areas in southern Etruria during the 2nd century
BCE has been postulated, largely based on the uncertain chronologies of votive
objects in the region. However, more detailed analysis of these sites now shows that
these traditional chronologies need to be revised. Of particular interest in frame of
this analysis are the examples of Veii and Volsinii. These examples highlight the considerable
distribution of sacred areas associated with sanatio in Roman Etruria during the
late Republic and the early Principate. The emergent associations of anatomical votives
and other finds, all of which are rarely made from materials of any particular economic
value, may suggest that these sanctuaries were frequented by subaltern social classes.
The religiosity of particular subordinate social groups gravitates towards these sacred
areas, and this is reflected in the forms of devotion offered to Ceres, Liber, and Minerva,
the Aventine Triad, whose temples in Rome were located in Aventino.

Keywords: Roman Etruria, Aventine Triad, Anatomical votives, Veii, Volsinii