Antichi riti purificatori dell’Italia preromana: il caso del santuario di Mefitis nella valle d’Ansanto

Abstract

The valley of Ansanto, Irpinia, is an impressive place with fascinating geophysical characteristics and still displaying volcanic activity: the Mefite of Rocca San Felice is all that remains today of an ancient lake inside a crater, where today dangerous sulphurous springs still burst out with explosive force. This was the location of the sanctuary of Mephitis, the peaceful italic deity protector of herds and trade. Founded by the Hirpini on the cattle drovers’ route from the higher mountain pastures to the lower pastures, it was an important centre of worship for wayfarers from the 6th century BC to the 4rd century AD. The sacrifices here had some interesting traits: the victims were killed by the sulphurous exhalations of a dark, foaming lake, identified by Virgil as the entrance to Hell, which was surrounded by a dense wood full of noxious vapors.