Archaeological Landscapes of Late Antique and Early Medieval Tuscia
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Book Series
MediTo - Archaeological and Historical Landscapes of Mediterranean Central Italy, vol. 8
Etruscan and Roman Hellenistic Anatomical Ex-Votos
Reassessing Popular Religious Expressions in Central Italy
Fabiana Fabbri
- Pages: approx. 266 p.
- Size:156 x 234 mm
- Illustrations:70 b/w, 7 col., 2 tables b/w., 3 maps b/w
- Language(s):English
- Publication Year:2026
- € 110,00 EXCL. VAT RETAIL PRICE
- ISBN: 978-2-503-61236-2
- Hardback
- Forthcoming (Mar/26)
- € 110,00 EXCL. VAT RETAIL PRICE
- ISBN: 978-2-503-61237-9
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- Forthcoming
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The volume comprehensively examines an exceptional cultic phenomenon in terms of material significance and social pervasiveness, such as the offering of terracotta anatomical votive objects in ancient Italy.
Subject(s)
BIO
Fabiana Fabbri specialized in Classical Archaeology at the University of Florence and is part of the research team of the IMPERO (Interconnected Mobility of People and Economy along the River Ombrone) Project of the University at Buffalo - SUNY. Her research focuses on Republican ex-votos and Roman pottery.
Summary
Terracotta anatomical votive offerings, tangible manifestations of popular devotion in ancient Italy, have come to light in thousands through archaeological excavations. Considered of little value by past excavators, this material was often discarded but such finds are now recognized as pointing to a phenomenon, essential for survival in protecting health and fertility, that was a widespread and deeply rooted among the Etruscan and Italic populations of the middle and late Republican eras.
Drawing on archaeological evidence, the volume examines this particular expression of ancient popular religious practice, exploring not only its cultic nature but also its links to society and the economy. This material intersects with the still poorly known history of the plebeianclasses of ancient Italy, for whom written sources provide scarce or no information. Analysis of the discovery locations of these offerings explores their connections to water cults, and new hypotheses are presented on typological and paleopathological aspects of the phenomenon. The result is a meticulously researched volume, available in English for the first time, that sheds new light onto votive practices in ancient Italy.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Chapter 1. The Anatomical Terracotta Votives of Ancient Italy: Framing a Phenomenon with Peculiar Characteristics
Chapter 2. The Origin of Terracotta Anatomical Votives: A Socio-Economic Phenomenon Across Etruscan and Latin Popular Classes
Chapter 3. The Typologies of Terracotta Anatomical Votives
Chapter 4. Statue of Children, Couples, and Animals: An Overview of Votive Terracottas Accompanying Anatomical Offerings
Chapter 5. The Coexistence of Anatomical Ex-Voto Figurines with Metal Plastic Offerings: Hypotheses on the Significance of Their Presence in Middle Italic Votive Deposits
Chapter 6. Anatomical Terracotta Votives and Water Cults. An In-Depth Study of the Situation in Regio VII Etruria
Chapter 7. The Deities Targeted by Votive Anatomical Offerings
Chapter 8. The Exceptions to the Rule: The Later and ‘Extraterritorial’ Attestations
Chapter 9. A Summary for New Research Perspectives
Works Cited
