How Did Etruscans Influence Roman Civilization

830 Words4 Pages

Rome, before it became such a super power in the known world, needed some sort of established guidelines, or direction, to simply be a functioning society. This is where early Romans turned to one of its already thriving neighbors in need of guidance - the Etruscans. This neighboring collective of communities, gave Romans the tools to become the power they would become (TR 24). The lasting impact the Etruscan people left on early Roman civilization was a catalyst that led to their eventual development. Furthermore, the influences Romans took from the Etruscans, spans from religious practices to their architectural preferences to a viable city structure.
Rome was at one point a relatively small town, located directly in between Greek and Etruscan …show more content…

For instance, urban planning was a very important tool the Romans would come to value and implement in their town. With the creation of sewers and smarter use of land, the Romans could start building their empire. This newfound method of expansion, brings the need to create more buildings and other structures that require architectural expertise. Lucky for the Romans, Etruscans also had experience in architecture, which distinct style can also be seen in early Roman structures. These developments, brought about by Etruscan practices, allowed Rome to become “a more highly organized community” (TR 29). A strong indication of their development can be observed in a recently excavated “wall built of clay and timber on a stone foundation, running along the bottom of the [northeast slopes of the Palatine] hill” (TR 29). Although the accomplishment could go unrecognized of its significance at first glance, scholars were certainly excited to discover what the creation of such a wall means. The creation of the wall marks a time when a great number of Romans gathered together and were driven to act in the interest of their people, “ making the wall an early sign of an increasingly united community” (TR 29). The Etruscans had a big hand in bringing early Romans to see the value in banding together, as a cohesive