Kulte, Riten, religiöse Vorstellungen bei den Etruskern und ihr Verhältnis zu Politik und Gesellschaft

"Corresponding to Etruscan belief the supernatural-divine sphere took great influence on the life of both the single and the whole community. The interpretation of the divine will and the accurate execution of cult activities played an important role. It is not surprising that the Etruscans were considered as very religious people in ancient opinion. The 26 articles of these international proceedings address the many aspects of a theme, that deals with the widespread interactions between religious and public-social spheres, in with regard to content and method different ways. The chronological frame ranges from the Villanovan period, the early phase of Etruscan culture, down to the Roman Empire. Linguistically oriented articles stand next to those of archaeological, epigraphical and/or more historical approach illustrating the broadness of actual research interests. Special interest is hold for the Etruscan pantheon (as a whole or with regard to single gods), structure and range of duties of priesthoods as well as the literarily (especially the Liber Linteus and the 'brontoscopic calendar'), archaeological and iconographical manifestations of rituals and religious beliefs. Analyses with specific Etruscan focus are complemented by articles treating questions concerning the Etrusco-Greek or Etrusco-Italic escpecially Etrusco-Roman network of relationships (for example the genesis of the triumph and the role of the haruspices) or concentrating on testimonies of other peoples of pre-Roman Italy."--Publisher's website.