Women and Votive Inscriptions in Etruscan Epigraphy

Abstract This paper aims at giving an overview of the quantitative and qualitative dimension of the female element in the field of Etruscan votive inscriptions. It offers a systematic discussion of dedications set by Etruscan women and attested by inscriptions from the Archaic to the Hellenistic period. The study does not focus primarily on religious aspects, but by taking into account the underlying social context it tries to cast some additional light on the role of women in Etruscan society.