The Etruscans Research Paper

The Etruscans of Ancient Italy a power in the western Mediterranean Sea during the Iron age. The Etruscans were a wealthy people that were influential in the early years of Rome. The Etruscans were also a trade power due to their position between the Celtic tribes in the north and the Greek colonies in the southern portion of the Italian Peninsula and Sicily. There are various stories as to whom the Etruscans were descended from some Greeks believed them to be descended from the Pelasgians of the Aegean, but Herodotus and Virgil stated that they were originally from Lydia. Etruria where the Etruscans lived the Villanovan Culture lived prior to the rise of the Etruscans and some scholars believe that the Etruscans defeated the peoples of

These include Statues, tombs, coins, jewelry, and pottery. Etruscan sites also have contained artifacts from all over Ancient world giving researchers a better idea of the trade connections in the ancient world. The abundance of mineral ore in Etruria contributed to the Etruscan civilization being rich and powerful. The large amount of wealth attracted craftsman who created great and beautiful works. The Etruscans were a people whose culture and society was a rare sight to many visitors like the Greeks as both women and men were seen as equals socially and orgies of men, women and slaves were common at Etruscan Symposia. The Etruscans created statues depicting many scenes like husband and wife, important people, warriors, and monsters like the Chimera. Etruscan statues were created with terracotta or bronze. Their statutes are exquisite and very beautiful but are still unique taking aspects of Greek art while keeping their own unique styles. Etruscan warriors wielded swords, axes and spears made of iron and steel. They also carried large circular bronze shields and their soldiers wore armor and helmets. Etruscan Armament varies in style and type from Celtic, Greek Hoplite, and Villanovan in style. The Etruscans created Jewelry is made of gold, bronze, and even faience glass paste that originated in Egypt. The Etruscans left us with many graveyards full of grave goods consisting of bowls, bracelets, brooches, and mirrors. The Etruscans were fond of cremation for their dead and would fill an urn with the ashes of their dead and buried it with the grave goods. This practice may be connected to the fact the Urnfield Culture from the late bronze age lived in northern Italy as well, but the Urnfield culture lived also throughout most of central Europe. The Villanovan culture that directly predates the Etruscans were part of the Urnfield culture