Regretatio Graeca

Religions are often viewed as ridged and overly tradition, and not willing to accept the influence of others. Through the discourse of interpretatio Graeca this article argues that religions are in fact adaptable and heavily influenced by each other. This comparative article looks at the roles and functions of Di Indigetes Mater Matuta, alongside her Greek and Roman equivalents. The concepts of interpretatio Graeca and the deity Mater Matuta are exclusively analysed along the lines of space, time, function, iconography and ritual. Through source criticism of literacy and archeological evidence, this article investigates the extent to which the phenomenon of intercultural translation applies in relation to interpretatio Graeca.
Methodology: 239 words
This article focuses on a comparative study of Mater Matuta, and her Roman and Greek deity equilvants. Literary and archaeological evidence as far back as the Archaic Period reveal Mater Matuta to be equivalent to numerous other deities. However, this article focuses on her equivalents of the Roman dawn goddess Aurora and Greek Eos, childbirth Roman goddess Juno and Greek Eilithyia, as well as her conversion through Hellenization to the maritime Greek goddess Ino-Leucothea. These particular deities are analysed as they reveal the highest influence interpretatio …show more content…
However, this paper claims that the changing rituals and their functions are consequences of interpretatio Graeca and its intercultural ritualistic interpretations. The temple of Mater Matuta, evidently illustrates the effects of merging mythology and ritual practice on Roman belief systems. Though the range of this study does not permit for every aspect of interpretatio Graeca to be discussed, such as political factors, the social and culture aspects are examined through the available literary and archeological