1. Etruscan
Influence
on
Roman
Culture
POLITICS: The Etruscans organized their major
cities into independent city states, each with their
own Kings, laws and culture. Italy was divided into
independent city-states in this manner until its
unification in 1866.
URBAN PLANNING: The Etruscans
transformed the city of Rome from
shepherds’ huts into a well-designed city.
They drained marshes and built sewer
systems. The Circus Maximus (shown) was
built as a public forum and hosted chariot
races.
GLADIATORS: Upon the
death of an Etruscan King,
they ceremoniously had
Gladiators fight to the death.
The Romans adopted this
violent and gory pastime into
their own culture.
RELIGION: The Estruscan
religion was steeped in
superstitions and beliefs in
demons and an afterlife. The
Romans integrated some
Etruscan religious beliefs
leading to the adoption of
demons into Christianity.
“. . . . There was great [famine]
throughout the whole land of Lydia . . .
. And in this way they passed 18
years. . . . So the [Lydian] king
determined to divide the nation in half,
and to make the two portions draw
lots, the one to stay, the other to leave
the land. . . . [half the Lydians] sailed
away in search of new homes and
better sustenance. After sailing past
many countries, they came to Umbria
[Italy], where they built cities for
themselves, and fixed their
residence.”
ORIGIN:
Lydia
(Modern-day
Turkey)
Etruscan Immigration: c 1200 BCE
SETTLED:
Etruria
(Modern-day
Tuscany)
GENDER RELATIONS:
WOMEN WERE VIEWED
AS EQUAL TO MEN (as
evidence by historical
accounts and their artwork).
Theopompus of Chios, a
Greek historian who lived in
the Fourth century BCE
wrote about the immorality
of the Etruscans "...Further
they dine, not with their own
husbands, but with any
men who happen to be
present, and they pledge
with wine any whom they
wish. They also drink
excessively and are very
good looking. The
Etruscans rear all the
babies that are born, not
knowing who the father is in
any single case....."
THE ETRUSCANS OF ITALY
Heather Glean, November 2014, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL
For millennia, the origin of the
Etruscans was hotly debated. In
2007, a DNA analysis proved the
Etruscans immigrated to Italy from
the area that is now southern
Turkey, proving the Etruscan
immigration account recorded by
Greek historian Herodotus in c.430
BCE to be accurate.
Greek historian
Herodotus,
The Histories,
c. 430 BCE
Afterlife fresco featuring gladiators.
Asia Minor origins proved by DNA
Etruscan pendant with swastika symbols, Bolsena, italy, 700-650 BC. Louvre Museum.
The meaning of the swastika is positive, roughly translated to mean “Life of life.”
WINE: It is believed that the
Etruscans introduced the grape
to the Tuscany region of Italy,
importing the grape seed from
the Orient. Estruscan wine
vessel, shown in picture.
EDUCATION: The Etruscan
schools were thought to be
superior, and wealthy Latin
Romans send their children to
be educated in Etrusci schools.
Shown: Tablet used for teaching
elementary students the
alphabet.
LANGUAGE: The Etruscans
introduced the Greek alphabet
and numerals to the Romans,
although the Etruscans spoke a
different language.
ENGINEERING: Use of the arch
and public sewer systems. The
Cloaca Maxima, built by the
Etruscans in c 500 BCE, is the
oldest functioning sewer system
in the world.