Corrections/Background on Rasna (Etruscan) League

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Board: Etruria
Topic: Business and Suggestions 
Topic Editor: Nesnut Hatshepsut
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Message: Corrections/Background on Rasna (Etruscan) League
Author: T. Sempr. - Tuscus Sempronius 
Date: Jan 25, 1999 13:15
      (2 corrections to my earlier postings: Veii is not a port city; the League 
      apparently centered around Volsinii/Orvieto, though Norc(h)ia is mentioned 
      elsewhere as a shrine connected with the League--still checking that one). 


      From Luisa Banti, "The Etruscan Cities and Their Culture" (U. Calif. 
      Press, 1973), pp. 206-207: 

      One of the basic points of reference accepted by modern scholars ... is 
      the existence of an Etruscan confederation of 12 cities ... But it is 
      unlikely that such a league was able to unite the Etruscans for any length 
      of time -- even superficially. The cities were much too individualistic, 
      jealous and constantly bickering with each other to support the same 
      political or religious structure for very long, especially if they had to 
      submit to the command of an individual from some other city ... According 
      to Livy, in 403 B.C. the king of Veii asked that he be elected presiding 
      priest of the festivals ... He was not elected and out of spite withdrew 
      the actors, who were his slaves, and spoiled the festival ... Scholars 
      think that some inscriptions, which refer to a "zilath mechl rasnal," 
      interpreted as "zilath of the Etruscan people," may be an echo of this 
      union. This league is supposed to have had its centre in a sanctuary of 
      Voltumna ... The sanctuary was probably in southern Etruria. 

      From Ellen McNamara, THE ETRUSCANS (British Museum, 1990), p. 65: 

      The Etruscans were united by their common language and religion and each 
      year it seems representatives from the twelve cities of Etruria met at the 
      shrine of Voltumna near Orvieto for a religious festival, games and a 
      great fair, when mutual affairs could be discussed. 









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