Why Did Etruscans Choose To Reflect Their Culture

Although there is no written record of the Etruscans, information can be found about their lifestyle through their artwork, which was heavily influenced by the Greeks. Art was a normal part of Etruscan life. They used it to express religious, cultural, and daily beliefs. They brought different types of art such as the art of Bronze to a very high level of achievement(Etruscan Art). They were experts with many different types of art such as the potter’s wheel. Etruscan art consisted of many different things. They made pottery, statues, paintings, temples, urns, tombs, etc. and used it for more than just entertainment. Examples of beliefs shown through artwork leads to the question, why did the Etruscans choose to reflect their cultural and religious

They reflected their religious beliefs and practices through their artwork. Etruscan artwork appeared in many places related to their religion such as, on sarcophagi, tombs, and funerary urns-- all places connected to death. Nature was a big part of Etruscan art. Lightning, structure of internal organs of sacrificial animals, and flight patterns of birds were incorporated in their artwork (Etruscan Religion). These artworks contained a message which could only be interpreted by trained priests(Etruscan Religion). Etruscans also built huge temples for their gods to show their devotion for them. Paintings that have survived consist of murals on ceilings of tombs especially in Tarquinia. For example, the Tomb of Triclinium is an Etruscan chamber from 470 B.C.E (Becker, 8). On each wall people are dancing, playing instruments, and enjoying themselves. This reflects one of the most important Etruscan rituals. Etruscans didn’t grieve at funerals. Instead, they danced and celebrated the life of the deceased. Etruscan funerals were a place for festivity. Etruscan cemeteries reflect different types of burial practices(Etruscan Necropolises of Cerveteri and Tarquinia). “The necropolis near Cerveteri, known as Banditaccia, contains thousands of tombs organized in a city-like plan, with streets, small squares and neighbourhoods (Etruscan Necropolises of Cerveteri and Tarquinia).” The

Typically Etruscan artwork was vibrant with life. People were often dancing or playing musical instruments showing how joyful they were. Etruscan cemeteries show the achievements of Etruscan culture. Etruscan rituals were apparent in their artwork such as the most common ritual which is banqueting couples(Becker, 6). The theme of joy and luxury was especially demonstrated through that theme. The Etruscans reflected their own unique cultural beliefs by creating statues with women and men together. Although a lot of the Etruscans ideas come from the Greeks, they never put women and men on the same artwork. Majority of Etruscan artwork was very joyful, but there were also a few art pieces that reflected violence. The “Chariot Racing” fresco wall painting on a tomb in Tarquinia, was painted by the Etruscans to show violence. The man in this painting is using the chariot to battle in a race that was usually very harmful. Etruscans believed in their men being strong and active. Etruscans would show this by incorporating upturned smiles in their art signifying vitality(Padgett). Etruscan culture played a huge role in their artwork and made it as unique as it