Arule dal museo archeologico Nazionale di Vibo Valentia “Vito Capialbi”

Mazza, Michele (2026) Arule dal museo archeologico Nazionale di Vibo Valentia “Vito Capialbi”. ACTA ARCHAEOLOGICA ACADEMIAE SCIENTIARUM HUNGARICAE, Acta A (77). pp. 1-63. ISSN 0001-5210

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Abstract

This paper offers a preliminary systematic survey of the arulae identified at Vibo Valentia/Hipponion, originating from excavation contexts and historical collections and currently housed in the “Vito Capialbi” National Archaeological Museum. Unlike other centres of Magna Graecia, this category of artefacts had not previously been the subject of a comprehensive study for Hipponion. Through a typological, iconographic and stylistic analysis of a limited yet diversified corpus, the article highlights close connections with the Locrian and Kaulonian repertoires, while also identifying formal variants and autonomous solutions that point to local re-elaboration processes and, in some cases, to a possible Hipponiate production. Particular attention is devoted to zoomachy scenes, the predominant iconographic theme, examined in relation to domestic ritual practices and to chthonic cults attested in the city's sanctuaries. A specific discussion concerns the large-sized arulae, which, owing to their scale and technical refinement, may indicate a use not limited to the domestic sphere. Overall, the study contributes to a better understanding of the role of arulae within the material culture and ritual practices of Hipponion between the sixth and the early fifth century BC.

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