For the profoundly innovative character of his studies in all of the main fields pertaining to the cultures of the ancient world, from Greek to Etruscan to Roman, and for the great relevance of his methodological experimentation and his archaeological discoveries. For the originality of his work, in which historical-epigraphic investigation, iconological analysis, historical-religious evaluation, and anthropological research come together in a well-founded, overarching vision that is always supported by perceptive attention to the economic and social structures as well as the ideological and institutional aspects of ancient cultures.
Excerpt from The Balzan Prizewinners’ Research Projects: An Overview 2018