Voltumna
Etruscan deity
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Voltumna, also known as Veltune or Veltha[1] is a chthonic deity[2] of uncertain sex in Etruscan religion,[1][3] who became[4] the supreme god of the Etruscan pantheon, the deus Etruriae princeps, according to Varro.[5]
Voltumna's cult was centered in Volsinii (modern-day Bolsena), a city of the Etruscan civilization of central Italy. Voltumna is shown with contrasting characteristics, such as a maleficent monster, a chthonic vegetation god of uncertain sex, or a mighty war god.[2][6] The volcanic activity of Lake Bolsena were believed to be caused by Voltumna's destructive aspects.[2]
The bond of the twelve Etruscan populi was renewed annually at the sacred grove of Fanum Voltumnae, the sanctuary of Voltumnus sited near Volsinii, which was mentioned by Livy.[2][7] During this assembly, a long nail would be ritually driven into a cell of the temple, in order to fix the passage of time for the Etruscan's sacred calendar.[2] At the Fanum Voltumnae ludi were held, though whether they were athletic or artistic in nature is unknown.[citation needed]
In the Roman Forum, near the Temple of Castor and Pollux stood a shrine dedicated to Voltumna in the Vicus Tuscus.[8]
They were associated with the Roman Fortuna[2] and were eventually adopted into Rome as Vertumnus.[9][better source needed]
