The Italian School of History of Religions under the Fascist Regime

Abstract

By analyzing Pettazzoni's activities during the fascist period, this paper sheds light on the study of religions in the interwar period. While his primary goal was to establish the study of the history of religions as a discipline, he faced challenges in achieving this. Pettazzoni aimed to establish a university chair and start a journal, but the journal he began with Roman Catholic modernists was prohibited by the papacy, and establishing a chair was not an easy task.

However, the fascist regime provided support to Pettazzoni. He was granted a chair and a journal by the regime, which led to his involvement in fascist cultural policies such as the New Academy, the oath of allegiance to the regime, and the Italian Encyclopaedia. He also published texts that catered to fascism, such as emphasizing Giambattista Vico's accomplishments in the field of history of religions and proposing that Rome be regarded as the center of world religious history.

Despite being engaged in various social movements throughout his life, the fascist period was a period of uncertainty for Pettazzoni. His attitude offers us a glimpse into what Italy was like during the interwar period.