INTRODUCTION

The topic of water, sacred water, and cults connected with water is important to all studies of ancient religion, but is particularly relevant for our understanding of Roman and Italic society during the last four centuries of the Roman Republic. That the religious importance of water went well beyond its visual appeal or practical use is clear from the ancient sources, both literary and archaeological. Throughout Italy, from the beginning of time, the presence of springs, streams, rivers, and lakes has created the character of the landscape. Wherever these natural water sources appear, we are likely to find remains of sacred areas, ranging from isolated votive deposits to monumental sanctuaries. Along roads, at river crossings, and along mountain passes, the presence of water reinforces the link between nature and the divine.

The power of sacred water is reflected in beliefs and practices that illustrate both Rome's uniqueness and its dependence on the religious traditions of Italy as a whole. Furthermore, the study of sacred water at sites outside the city enhances our understanding of the term “Roman” within the context of Rome's neighbors in central Italy and throughout the peninsula. This is especially true for Etruria where, during the period 400–100 bce, the Roman presence spread rapidly and widely to the point that Roman values and religious practices may have merged with those that were exclusive to the Etruscans.