Etrusca Disciplina: How Was It Possible to Learn about Etruscan Religion in Ancient Rome?

Abstract

The relationship between and is quite a different issue in Antiquity, in ancient Rome, and in our contemporary world. The concept of education is not a Latin concept, except perhaps in the expression Etrusca disciplina . Strictly speaking, religion was not taught in Rome: there were no schools where religion was taught. Etruscan religion, on the contrary, is based on a revelation by prophets like Tages or Vegoia; it is a kind of revealed religion, written down in sacred books, which were not easily accessible and understandable. Etruscan and Roman religion are based on practice, not on theological doctrines that could be taught. An impetus for orthopraxy can be found both in Rome and in the Etrusca disciplina . As Etruria became a part of the Roman Empire, Etrusca disciplina also became a part of Roman culture and Roman religion. Keywords:ancient Rome; antiquity; Etrusca disciplina ; Etruscan religion; religious education; Roman religion