Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Etruscan and Roman Tuscany
The Etruscans migrated to Italy from Asia Minor
around 900 BC, attracted to the area they called
Etruria (now in Tuscany, Lazio and Umbria) by
its mineral wealth. This they exploited to
produce weapons, armour, tools and jewellery to
trade with Greece. After a fierce war with Rome
in 395 BC, the Etruscan civilization was
eclipsed by Roman rule. Many aspects of
Roman religion can be attributed to the
Etruscans, including animal sacrifice and divination -
reading the will of the gods in animal entrails or
cloud patterns. Everyday Etruscan life and
the preoccupation with the afterlife are
reflected in detailed carved
cremation urns and tombs like those
at Volterra
(see pp166-7).
Wax writing tablets
were used to keep
household accounts.
Etruscan earrings
worked in gold
A covered
wagon
carved on
the urn
shows the
Etruscans
were skilled
at carpentry.
Bronze Chimera
(4th-century BC)
The wounded chimera (part goat, lion
and serpent) is a dramatic example of
Etruscan bronze casting.
ETRUSCAN CREMATION URN
Much of what is known about the
Etruscans comes from studying the
contents of their tombs. This 1st-
century BC terracotta cremation urn
from Volterra is carved with scenes
from Etruscan domestic life.
Athletic Games
Tomb paintings depicting chariot races,
dancing and athletics suggest that the
Etruscans had festivals similar to the
Olympic Games of the ancient Greeks.
The relief
depicts the last journey of
the deceased into the underworld.
TIMELINE
474 BC
Etruscans defeated in
Asia Minor by their commercial
rivals; trade with Greece suffers
and Etruscan ports such as
Populonia begin to decline
508 BC
Lars Porsena, Etruscan
ruler of Chiusi, leads an
unsuccessful attack on Rome
9th century BC
Earliest evidence of
Etruscans on Elba
300
900 BC
800
700
600
500
400
7th century BC
Beginning
of extensive maritime trade
with Greece and the Near East
395
BC
Rome
captures Veii in
Lazio, signalling the
end of Etruscan
independence
6th century BC
Founding of the
Dodecapolis, a confederation of the
12 most powerful Etruscan cities
Coin from
Populonia
