Etruscan and Italic Offerings in Greek Sanctuaries

Abstract Pre-Roman archaeological materials found in Greek places of worship date from the late Bronze Age to the fifth century BCE. The indigenous peoples of Italy and Sicily encountered Greek colonists on the Italian peninsula and absorbed their culture and their customs, thus becoming aware of the sanctuary tradition on the Greek mainland. Italic elites then began to visit international places of worship. Thus, one can ask whether Italic objects found in Greek sanctuaries were votives offered by Greeks returning home, or by visiting Etruscan and Italic people: both are possibilities since literary sources as well as some Greek and Etruscan inscriptions show that Etruscans also offered votive gifts to Greek divinities. This chapter traces the history of Etruscan and Italic offerings in Greek sanctuaries.