Etruscan Traces in Tuscany – Volterra & Co.
The Etruscans are an ancient people who settled in northern central Italy in the area of today’s regions of Tuscany, Umbria and Lazio in the period from about 1000 BC to 100 BC. At least traces of Etruscan culture can be found in this geographical area and from this time period. The Etruscans are considered to be the people who produced the first advanced civilisation in Italy. In the course of time, they were assimilated by the Romans. The question of the origin of the Etruscans is very exciting and has been controversial since ancient times. Scholars argue about whether they immigrated from Asia Minor or not. One reason for this is that the Etruscan language, which has been handed down mainly epigraphically (i.e. by means of inscriptions on wood, stone, glass, marble and other materials), cannot be clearly classified linguistically. There are indications that Etruscan is related to pre-Greek Lemnian (the language spoken on the Aegean island of Lemnos), which supports the thesis of Etruscan immigration from the Aegean-Little Asia region. Recent genetic research also suggests an origin from ancient Lydia. It is also possible that there was a mixture of immigrants from this area with already resident peoples, which is also indicated by genetic analyses.
Underestimated advanced civilisation with far-reaching influence
In any case, the Etruscan culture is as fascinating as it is underestimated or unknown to most people. Linguists assume, for example, that the Etruscans “taught” the Romans to read and write. Numerous Etruscan words found their way into Latin and thus indirectly into our modern German. We can assume a clear cultural superiority of the Etruscans over the Romans, at least in the beginning. In any case, the elites of the rising Rome were still Etruscans for a long time. They even provided some kings in the early Roman period, including the last king of Rome, Tarquinius Superbus, who was expelled in 510 BC. There was no central Etruscan state, but a loose confederation of twelve cities, which was less political than religious in character. Cultural evidence such as wall paintings, bronze figures, vases, statues etc. indicate a strong religiosity of the Etruscans, at the same time they seem to have been very fun-loving (frequent banquet scenes indicate this) and cosmopolitan (seafaring people). It is also remarkable that women – unlike in many other ancient cultures – did not just remain in private, but took part in public life, so there was obviously a certain equality.
Etruscan Traces in Tuscany – Volterra & Co.
Anyone who wants to follow in the footsteps of the Etruscans will find plenty in Tuscany. After all, the name of the region comes from the Latin “Tusci”, or Tuscans, as the Romans called the Etruscans. Six of the cities in the League of Twelve are in Tuscany alone: Chiusi, Vetolunia, Volterra, Cortona, Arezzo and Fiesole. And each one is worth a visit. Volterra, the Etruscan Velathri, for example, has a lot of sights from Etruscan times: The religious centre, the Etruscan acropolis, was located at the highest point of the city. On this site, you can marvel at the foundations of several temples from the 3rd to 2nd century BC and also at traces of the oldest city wall. Also in Volterra is the oldest preserved Etruscan city gate in Italy, the monumental Porta all’Arco from the 4th century B.C. If you want to get closer to Etruscan culture and understand it, a visit to Etruscan tombs is worthwhile. In Volterra, a visit to the largest Etruscan cemetery, the necropolis of Portone in the north of the city, is recommended. Numerous finds from Etruscan times are naturally exhibited in museums. One of the most important Etruscan museums in Italy is the Guarnacci Museum in Volterra, which presents a cross-section of Etruscan high culture in northern Etruria. Highlight: approx. 600 masterly Etruscan relief urns with the deceased as a reclining figure on the urn lid.
