A Treasure Trove for Researchers, Educators & Students in Humanities.
Barbera’s Pietas introduces one to an interesting and colourful spirituality that seeks in its own way to transform homines into viri, namely, “from men made of mud to men made of vis, inner strength”. It is an emic presentation of a belief system – valid in itself as an NRM and worthy of sociological study.
Dr. Michael York, Bath Spa University College, UK
Giuseppe Barbera, archaeologist and president of the Associazione Tradizionale Pietas, presents an extensive and profound expertise in mythological accounts of the founding of Rome, illuminates the esoteric symbolism and significance of rituals and Gods in relation to the habitat of Romans from an emic perspective, i.e., the adherent’s point of view, which has been arbitrarily underrepresented in the Humanities so far. Author endeavors to redeem us from the desultory profane decontextualization of eternal myths, the implanted degradation of gender complementarity, and the cultural flattening due to modern cosmopolitanism that still permeate contemporary society.
Ugis Nastevics, Latvian Academy of Culture, Latvia
Pietas is an incredibly scholarly work with well documented historical references. The author paints the picture of what religious practices were in ancient Rome, to the details of how the temples were built, and the symbolic reasons for the architecture. A powerful and enjoyable read that expands the mind while connecting the reader to the roots of ancient beliefs and practices.
Reverend Belladonna LaVeau, Aquarian Tabernacle Church, United States
An Essential Guide for Pietas Practitioners.
Giuseppe Barbera is exceptional in that his understanding is uniquely related to the living practice of the ancient Roman tradition he describes. This allows him to connect spirituality, theology, belief, culture, and practice in illuminating ways that only someone who is genuinely steeped in a living tradition can. This work is a treasure trove for scholars, practitioners, and everyone who seek to understand this contemporary indigenous Roman tradition.
Dr. Kọ́lá Abímbọ́lá, Howard University, United States
Barbera’s book conveys the message that we should not be afraid to rediscover and embrace Indoeuropean ethnic religions because this does not imply splitting off from the human family. It means freeing the human need for spirituality, showing that the narrow forms which presently constrain it are not the only possible ones. Pietas is a must for anyone interested in learning more about the Gentile Tradition and – why not – helping to keep it alive.
Dr. Riccardo Campa, Jagiellonian University, Poland
A Shared Resource for all Indigenous Traditions of the World.
From Rome, one of the most important centers of history, faith, and art in Europe, comes an idea that has probably been dormant for more than 1,600 years. Giuseppe’s Pietas is the bond between the civilizations of Bharat and Italy. The book is a must-read for students and scholars in humanities, especially those engaged in religious studies, history, or sociology.
Surendra Mathur, Heritage Foundation, India
Publisher's Note
The last four decades have seen the emergence and steady growth of ethnic religious studies in academia. It has all the major characteristics that define a religious studies subject, including peer-reviewed journals, annual conferences, a dedicated unit in the American Academy of Religions, and a visible contingent at the World Parliament of Religions. The discriminatorily selective artificial constraint in humanities that genuine research stems only from an objective non-adherent point of view has finally been consigned to the dustbin, and centuries of hidden knowledge has gushed out from the insiders of all traditions around the world. This treasure has significantly enriched not just religious studies but the entire humanities academic space. In Europe, this trend was driven primarily by the phenomenal growth in practicing membership within every ethnic faith of the continent, from Slavic traditions in Russia to Celtic Druidism in Ireland and from Asatru in Sweden to Hellenism in Greece. In the last twenty or so years, these groups have come out from practicing in secrecy to building temples and holding large gatherings in public spaces. Local, provincial, and national governments across Europe and the international organizations, including the European Union and the United Nations, either already have the framework to provide the necessary protection of their fundamental religious rights or are working with these traditions to remedy any gaps therein. The media, society in general, and even the scientific community have come to accept them as part and parcel of our multicultural world today. This book is a natural consequence of this great movement and is the voice of the adherents of the Roman Traditional Religion in Italy. The author combines facts and analyses with a dash of passion and storytelling to succinctly present a vast subject matter in this short introductory work. He demonstrates a unique style in this genre by presenting the content in a manner such that the work is at once useful for academics, lay readers, and of course, the adherents of his faith. This book is an excellent resource for researchers across humanities, including those in the classics department who are looking for fresh ideas, educators designing course work for satisfying the ever-growing demand for this subject from their student communities at not only the universities but also schools, the students themselves, adherents of the Roman traditional faith seeking a basic guide and for other ethnic faiths around the world who want to benefit from the experiences of their counterparts in Italy. Mythology corner is delighted to bring this wonderful work to the market and looks forward to collaborating closely with all stakeholders in this space for a continued mutually beneficial engagement. We hope you will enjoy reading this book and find it useful both professionally and personally.
The Author Giuseppe Barbera
Giuseppe Barbera is the President of Associazione Tradizionale Pietas and the Pontifex Maximus of the Pietas, the Gentile Community of Roman Religion in Italy. He is the son of Gianfranco Barbera, whose students, together with Giuseppe, founded the organization in 2005. Giuseppe is an archeologist, public speaker, and writer focused on the revival and growth of the classical religion of his ancestors in this beautiful country.
Chapters and Sections
De Introductione
Understand the background and get a summary of the subject matter of the book.
Chapter Sections
1. Introduction
De Traditionis Romanae Origine
Get to know King Romulus, learn about Rome’s sacred beginnings, touch upon its esoteric architecture and understand the importance of the holy fire and the Temple of Vesta.
Chapter Sections
1. Romulus
2. The Pomerirum and the Walls
3. The Square Rome
4. The Doors
5. The Palace
6. The Temple of Vesta
De Pietate et religione
Understand the crucial distinction between Pietas and religion. Know about the temples and study the organizational structure of the pontifical offices, along with few other related topics.
Chapter Sections
1. Understanding Pietas
2. The Temple
3. Esoterism and Exoterism
4. The Art of Haruspex
5. Sacerdotal Colleges
6. Functions of Pontifical College
7. Clavus Annalis
De Initiationis Mysteriique
Enter the heart of the tradition’s practices, namely initiations and mysteries.
Chapter Sections
1. Philosopher's Path
2. Initiation
3. Practicing Roman Religion Today
4. The Mysteries
5. The First Mystery
6. The Mysteries of Hercules
7. The Mysteries of Saturn
De Mytho
Understand the correct interpretation of Roman mythology.
Chapter Sections
1. Sacred Literature
2. Perseus
3. Problems in Myth Interpretation
4. Jason and the Golden Fleece
5. Aeneid, Eclogues and Georgics
6. Iliad and Odyssey
De Magia
Get a brief glimpse into the tradition’s magical practices.
Chapter Sections
1. Magic
De Pietate Fama Societate
End your journey with some closing words learning about the organization, Associazione Tradizionale Pietas.
Chapter Sections
1. Pietas, from Antiquity to Today
2. Pietas Organization