Zilath, Meddix, Archon.

The aim of my research project is to present a comprehensive study of the magistrates and institutions of the Etruscan, Italian and Italiote communities. I will consider the period from the first appearance of these people in the history of central and southern Italy until the final loss of their independence by integration into the Roman state. Up to now no extensive investigation of this subject has been undertaken, although it is clearly understood as a desideratum in modern historiography. I plan a parallel as well as synoptic analysis of the forms of political organisation, which will demonstrate links, reciprocal intervention and regional differences. The analysis has to take into account the political and institutional particularism of the communities of the three populations. We might find a magistrate exclusively in one community as well as in separate communities even with different functions. Moreover, the same function could be administered by different officials in yet other cities. This phenomenon is well known for the Italiote area, and can now - due to the wealth of recently found inscriptions - be registered for the Etruscans and Italians as well. Necessarily my study must start with a fundamental account of the local political systems. It is this method of research that will provide us with a complete picture of the essential institutional aspects and structures of the three populations. Based on this account we will be able to proceed to comparison. Thus the work will consist of two major parts: the first of which will present a documentary collection of all the relevant sources (literary/epigraphical/numismatic/archaeological) for each single community. The second part will contain a description and analysis of the general as well as specific characteristics of the most important political institutions and magistrates (zilath, purth, meddix, vereiia, archon, laucelarchia, etc.). The project fits well into a new field of international interest. Over the last decades the scientific community has turned its interest towards historical, cultural and sociological questions of the civilisation in ancient Italy apart from the Romans. The collection of all relevant testimonies on the forms of political organisation in Ancient Italy connected with a thorough analysis that will be presented for the first time in my study, will be of eminent benefit for all further studies in this field.

The aim of my research project is to present a comprehensive study of the magistrates and institutions of the Etruscan, Italian and Italiote communities. I will consider the period from the first appearance of these people in the history of central and southern Italy until the final loss of their independence by integration into the Roman state. Up to now no extensive investigation of this subject has been undertaken, although it is clearly understood as a desideratum in modern historiography. I plan a parallel as well as synoptic analysis of the forms of political organisation, which will demonstrate links, reciprocal intervention and regional differences. The analysis has to take into account the political and institutional particularism of the communities of the three populations. We might find a magistrate exclusively in one community as well as in separate communities even with different functions. Moreover, the same function could be administered by different officials in yet other cities. This phenomenon is well known for the Italiote area, and can now - due to the wealth of recently found inscriptions - be registered for the Etruscans and Italians as well. Necessarily my study must start with a fundamental account of the local political systems. It is this method of research that will provide us with a complete picture of the essential institutional aspects and structures of the three populations. Based on this account we will be able to proceed to comparison. Thus the work will consist of two major parts: the first of which will present a documentary collection of all the relevant sources (literary/epigraphical/numismatic/ archaeological) for each single community. The second part will contain a description and analysis of the general as well as specific characteristics of the most important political institutions and magistrates (zilath, purth, meddix, vereiia, archon, laucelarchia, etc.). The project fits well into a new field of international interest. Over the last decades the scientific community has turned its interest towards historical, cultural and sociological questions of the civilisation in ancient Italy apart from the Romans. The collection of all relevant testimonies on the forms of political organisation in Ancient Italy connected with a thorough analysis that will be presented for the first time in my study, will be of eminent benefit for all further studies in this field.