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Devotion to religion was the distinguishing characteristic of the Etruscan people, the most powerful civilisation in 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. Despite its importance, relatively little has been written about Etruscan religion, and this volume (the first comprehensive, modern study in English) seeks to fill that gap by bringing together essays by leading scholars that provide an up-to-date overview of Etruscan religion. The 8 essays 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. The book also contains valuable supportive material, including the first English translation of an Etruscan Brontoscopic Calendar, and Latin and Greek sources.
