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==Introduction==The Etruscan civilization was one of earliest known civilizations in mainland Europe. It is little known and was largely forgotten, until archaeological discoveries once more revealed its power, complexity and sophistication. The Etruscans had a unique civilization and in many ways, they are a mysterious race and culture. However, they made a decisive contribution to the history of Europe, because they shaped in many ways the early development of Rome. Many of the most distinctive features of Roman society were in fact influenced by , or directly borrowed from the Etruscans. The Etruscans were a formative influence on Rome and this can be seen in its religion, culture, urban planning and engineering and they also helped to establish it as a great city and one of the greatest powers in Italy. In order to understand Rome it is necessary to understand the influence of the Etruscans on the Early Roman Republic. __NOTOC__[[File: 600px-0 Mars de Todi - Museo Gregoriano Etruscano (1).jpg |200px|thumbthumbnail|left|A statue of an Etruscan nobleman or deity]] ==Background==The Etruscans resided in ancient Italy in modern Tuscany and northern Lazio. They flourished in this area from 1000 BCE to 100 BCE<ref> Torelli, Mario, The Etruscans. (Rome Rizzoli International Publications, 1997), p. 5</ref>. They had a unique language and culture. Etruscan society appears to have been one where a warrior aristocracy ruled a large rural population. This changed over time as the Etruscans became more sophisticated and rich and oligarchies dominated Etruria. The wealth of the Etruscan people was based on their rich natural resources. Etruria was rich in copper and gold and the landscape was dotted by mines. The Etruscans also had a good degree of technical know-how and they were renowned for their metal working and their pottery skills. They were also expert sculptors and artists. The Etruscans as they were also known were expert seafarers and sailed throughout the western Mediterranean. From the 7th century BCE they came into contact with Greek and Punic Civilizations and many Greeks even settled in Etruria<ref> Franklin-Hall, John. Etruscan Italy: Etruscan Influences on the Civilizations of Italy (Utah, Brigham Young University, 1996), p. 15</ref>. This changed Etruscan culture and Greek culture was very influential. Despite this the Etruscans regularly fought the Greeks for control of the sea lanes. The Etruscans were never a coherent political unit but rather existed as independent city states. The Etruscans were united by a common culture and religion. Despite this the various Etruscan city-states were distinctive<ref> Franklin-Hall, p. 114</ref>. The coastal cities were generally much more cosmopolitan than those located in the interior. By the 7TH century BCE the various Etruscan city states united in a loose political and military league. The Etruscans were formidable soldiers and copied the Hoplite tactics and weaponry of the Greeks. This allowed them to dominate a large area of Italy from the Po Valley to the area around Naples. Only the Greek city-states in ''Magna Graecia'' (southern Italy) defied their armies in Italy. The Etruscans could conquer the city of Rome and their dominance was so complete that a dynasty of Etruscan kings the Tarquinii, ruled the city for much of the 6th century BCE. During this period the city of Rome grew rapidly and it is possible that many Etruscans came to live in the city. The Romans were culturally and ethnically different from the Etruscans<ref> Franklin-Hall, p. 114</ref>. The early inhabitants of Rome were Latins and spoke an early form of the Latin language. During the reign of the Tarquinii kings, Rome was part of the Etruscan world and very much influenced by its civilization. From the 5th century BCE the Etruscans went into political and economic decline. Celtic tribes from the north invaded Etruria and sacked several cities. The Greek at the sea-battle of Cumae defeated the Etruscan fleets and came to dominate the sea lanes and this led to economic decline in many Etruscan states. The Etruscan League of City States was severely weakened and this allowed the Roman to first expel the Etruscan dynasty and uniting the Latin peoples of central Italy. The Etruscans were constantly harried by Celtic raids and attacks from the north and from the south they were under pressure from Rome. For about 150 years Rome and the Etruscans fought intermittent wars<ref> Franklin-Hall, p. 114</ref>. Rome developed a sophisticated military and increasingly was able to defeat the Etruscans in battle. In 406 BCE the Romans took the key Etruscan city of Veii after a lengthy siege allowed Rome to expand into Etruria. There were many years of peace between the Romans and the Etruscans and they even occasionally allied with each other against the Celts. In 295 BCE the Roman legions defeated a coalition of Etruscan states at the Battle of Sentium. The Romans pressed home their advantage and in one year alone, (280 BCE) they captured three large Etruscan city-states. In 273 BCE the city of Cerveteri fell and this was the last independent Etruscan city-state. The Romans established military colonies in Etruria and this began a process of Romanization and gradually Etruscan culture began to disappear. Many Etruscan cities were destroyed by Sulla and his army during his war with Marius in the and by 50 BCE the Etruscans had virtually disappeared from history and it seems that they had become thoroughly Romanized<ref> Franklin-Hall, p. 117</ref>. [[File: Arte etrusca, pannelli d'argento con rilievi, da castel san mariano presso perugia, 540-520 ac. 02.jpg |200px|thumb|left|Etruscan horseman]]

==Etruscans and the growth of Rome==Sometime around 650 BCE the Etruscans seized control of Rome, then little more than a poor settlement of shepherds and small farmers. The site of Rome made it very attractive to the Etruscans as it Etruscan civilization was situated on a series of hills an early civilization (900 BCE-100 BCE) that were very easy inhabited Italy from Tuscany to defend and it was located near an important ford in the TiberRome. There was also some salt works nearby It is little known and this was an important economic asset in the ancient world. The Etruscans apparently seized complete control of the citylargely forgotten until archaeological discoveries once revealed its power, however it is impossible to be sure what is myth and what is history in this era. The Etruscans kings who ruled the city, were the Tarquinii. According to the Histories of Livy, Tarquinius Priscus was the first Etruscan king of Rome and he succeeded the last Latin king. He was an aggressive and warlike king and he expanded the territory of Rome. He was later assassinated by a Roman aristocrat. Servius Tullius was the next king and he was an able leader and he made Rome the leading city in the Latin league and the most powerful entity in central Italy<ref> Franklin-Hallcomplexity, p. 119</ref>. The later kings of Rome are shown in the histories of Livy and others as cruel tyrants. The last Etruscan King was expelled because of his tyranny and brutalitysophistication. Despite being controlled by a non-Roman dynasty the city grew in power and prestige. The Etruscans ensured that the Romans were the leaders of the Latin people. This and the territory that was added by the Etruscan kings was very important in the development of Rome had a unique civilization and these monarchs laid the foundations for the future Roman domination of Italyculture. They left an enduring legacy in the symbols of power in Rome. From the royal insignia of the Etruscans came such symbols as the fasces (bundle of sticks) and the ax <ref> Livy 5, 6</ref>. These were later adopted by Republican Rome and remained part of the ceremonial life of the city, until the rise of the Papacy in the wake of the fall of the Roman Empire.[[File:File. Charun dead souls Cdm Paris 2783.jpg |200px|thumb|left|A scene from Etruscan mythology]]

==Etruscan Kings and However, they made a decisive contribution to the history of Europe, because they shaped in many ways the early development of Rome==The Etruscan kings . Many of the most distinctive features of Roman society were great builders and they transformed Rome in fact influenced by, or directly borrowed from the Etruscans. The Etruscans were a rude settlement of huts formative influence on Rome and simple dwellings into this can be seen in its religion, culture, urban planning, and engineering and they also helped to establish it as a true great cityand one of the greatest powers in Italy. The monarch probably introduced In order to understand Rome, it is necessary to understand the influence of the Etruscans builders and architects into on the cityEarly Roman Republic. The Etruscans were great engineers and they  == Who were outstanding builders. Apparently, the Romans learned much from the Etruscans and the famed Roman expertise ? ==[[File: Arte etrusca, pannelli d'argento con rilievi, da castel san mariano presso perugia, 540-520 ac. 02.jpg |250px|thumbnail|left|Etruscan horseman]] The Etruscans resided in urban planning ancient Italy in modern Tuscany and engineering originated with their northern neighbors during the monarchy of the TarquiniiLazio. They flourished in this area from 1000 BCE to 100 BCE.<ref> Franklin-HallTorelli, Mario, p. 194<i>[https:/ref>/www. The Roman architectural style in the Roman Republic was heavily influenced by the Etruscansamazon. com/gp/product/0847823911/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0847823911&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=f036aff47bdc1f54abe5074e5b2c979f The Tarquinii monarchs build a series of sewers in Etruscans]</i>. (Rome Rizzoli International Publications, 1997), p. 5</ref> They had a unique language and this made the city more hygienic and allowed the city culture. Etruscan society appears to grow and prosperhave been one where a warrior aristocracy ruled a large rural population. This changed over time as the Etruscans became more sophisticated and rich and oligarchies dominated Etruria. The kings also drained many wealth of the marshes that surrounded the city over several years Etruscan people was based on their rich natural resources. Etruria was rich in copper and gold and this allowed more land to be cultivated to feed the growing population of Romelandscape was dotted with mines. Many  The Etruscans also had a good degree of the most distinctive buildings technical know-how and they were renowned for their metalworking and public works can be traced to the Etruscan periodtheir pottery skills. The city greatly expanded They were also expert sculptors and this meant that new walls had to be built to protect the populationartists. The Tarquins built the Servian Walls and Etruscans as they were also fortified some of known were expert seafarers and sailed throughout the other hills around the citywestern Mediterranean. They eventually build a single fortification that enclosed From the entire city7th century BCE, these were the Servian Wallsthey came into contact with Greek and Punic Civilizations and many Greeks even settled in Etruria.<ref> LorenziFranklin-Hall, RossellaJohn. <i>[https://www. "Unraveling the Etruscan Enigmaamazon." Archaeology 63, no. 6 (2010): 36-43<com/gp/product/0842523340/ref>. These walls were so well built that they protected the city for several hundred years. The Etruscans also built many well=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0842523340&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-known Temples such as 20&linkId=f7d404eca2115dcbefce10369da8ce08 Etruscan Italy: Etruscan Influences on the temple Civilizations of JupiterItaly].</i> (Indiana University Press, 1997), p. It 15</ref> seemed that they also introduced  == Why did the vault and Etruscans fight the arch into Roman architecture. They are also widely credited with building the first Forum, Rome’s main public space. Greeks? ==The Etruscans and regularly fought the Greeks==The Etruscans had long had contacts with for control of the Greeks and their alphabet was based on their alphabetsea lanes. The Etruscans were never a coherent political unit but rather existed as independent city-states of Etruria had long been under . The Etruscans were united by a common culture and religion. Despite this the cultural influence of the Greeks various Etruscan city-states were distinctive.<ref>UllmanFranklin-Hall, Bp. L. "114</ref> The Etruscan Origin of coastal cities were generally much more cosmopolitan than those located in the Roman Alphabet and interior. By the Names of the Letters." Classical Philology 227th century BCE, no. 4 (1927): 372various Etruscan city-77<ref>states united in a loose political and military league.  The Tarquin kings Etruscans were formidable soldiers and copied the Hoplite tactics and weaponry of the Etruscans exposed Greeks. This allowed them to dominate a large area of Italy from the Romans Po Valley to Greek culturethe area around Naples. Many Roman nobles would send Only the Greek city-states in ''Magna Graecia'' (southern Italy) defied their sons to schools armies in Etruscan cities Italy. The Etruscans could conquer the city of Rome and here they learned Greek their dominance was so complete that a dynasty of Etruscan kings the Tarquinii, ruled the city for much of the 6th century BCE. During this period the city of Rome grew rapidly and read its literature and philosophyit is possible that many Etruscans came to live in the city. The Romans were culturally and ethnically different from the Etruscans.<ref>Livy. 5Franklin-Hall, p. 14114</ref>. Greek thought  The early inhabitants of Rome were Latins and literature enriched Roman culture. The Romans adopted spoke an early form of the Greek alphabet and used it for their own Latin language, Latin. Much During the reign of Roman literature the Tarquinii kings, Rome was based on Greek forms part of the Etruscan world and genres and Roman political thought and philosophy originated in Greek ideas. By very much influenced by its civilization. From the second 5th century BCE many the male elite could speak Greek Etruscans went into political and economic decline. Celtic tribes from the north invaded Etruria and many were educated in Athens<ref> Franaklinsacked several cities. The Greeks at the sea-Hall, p. 115</ref>. == battle of Cumae defeated the Etruscan influence on fleets and came to dominate the sea lanes and this led to economic decline in many Etruscan states. The Etruscan League of City-States was severely weakened and this allowed the Roman Religion==Little is known about to first expel the nature of Etruscan religion but many writers have declared it to be ‘gloomy’. It seems that dynasty and uniting the exact influence Latin peoples of Etruscan religion and myths on central Italy.  == Why were the Etruscans raided by Rome will never be known. It seems that and the Romans did adopt some Etruscan deities Celtic raiders? ==The Etruscans were constantly harried by Celtic raids and demons. These demons attacks from the north and from the south they were eventually transmitted to under pressure from Rome. For about 150 years Rome and the Christians Etruscans fought intermittent wars.<ref> BonfanteFranklin-Hall, Larissap. "An Etruscan Demon 114</ref> Rome developed a sophisticated military and increasingly was able to defeat the Etruscans in Pompeiibattle." In KOINE: Mediterranean Studies in Honor 406 BCE, the Romans took the key Etruscan city of R. Ross Holloway, edited by Counts Derek BVeii after a lengthy siege allowed Rome to expand into Etruria. There were many years of peace between the Romans and Tuck Anthony Sthe Etruscans and they even occasionally allied with each other against the Celts., 96-99In 295 BCE the Roman legions defeated a coalition of Etruscan states at the Battle of Sentium. (Oxford; Oakville: Oxbow BooksThe Romans pressed home their advantage and in one year alone, 2009(280 BCE)they captured three large Etruscan city-states.  In 273 BCE, p. 97</ref>the city of Cerveteri fell and this was the last independent Etruscan city-state. The Etuscans were renowned for their oracles Romans established military colonies in Etruria and prophecies. One this began a process of Romanization and gradually Etruscan culture began to disappear. Many Etruscan cities were destroyed by Sulla and his army during his war with Marius the Tarquin kings purchased the Syballine books, that became and by 50 BCE the prophetic literature of Rome Etruscans had virtually disappeared from an Etruscan templehistory and it seems that they had become thoroughly Romanized. Oracles played a very important part in the religion of Rome<ref>"Gods in Harmony: The Etruscan Pantheon." In The Religion of Franklin-Hall, p. 117</ref> == What role did the Etruscansplay in the growth of Rome? ==[[File: Charun dead souls Cdm Paris 2783.jpg |200px|thumbnail|left|A scene from Etruscan mythology]] Sometime around 650 BCE, edited by Simon Erika, De Grummond Nancy Thomsonthe Etruscans seized control of Rome, then little more than a poor settlement of shepherds and Simon Erika, (University small farmers. The site of Texas Press, 2006), p. 45</ref>. Many Rome made it very attractive to the Etruscans as it was situated on a series of these oracles hills that were of Etruscan origin very easy to defend and these were known as it was located near an important ford in the HaruspicesTiber. This There was also some salt works nearby and this was an important economic asset in the art ancient world. The Etruscans apparently seized complete control of interpreting the will of the Gods. Soothsayers form Etruria were very much city, however, it is impossible to be sure what is a myth and what is history in demand and seemed to have passed on their skills to the local Roman prieststhis era. The Etruscan soothsayers could allegedly understand Etruscans kings who ruled the will of city were the Gods by observing phenomenon such as lightning. Another Etruscan method for understanding Tarquinii.  According to the wishes Histories of the Gods Livy, Tarquinius Priscus was the examination first Etruscan king of Rome and he succeeded the internal organs of sacrificed animalslast Latin king. One of the more curious Etruscan traditions He was an aggressive and warlike king and he expanded the observing territory of Rome. He was later assassinated by a Roman aristocrat. Servius Tullius was the way some sacred chickens ate their food to understand next king and he was an able leader and he made Rome the divine will. Even after leading city in the Etruscan kings were expelled Latin league and the Romans still respected the oracles of the Etruscansmost powerful entity in central Italy.<ref> Franklin-Hall, p. 119</ref> The Roman Senate ordained that later kings of Rome are shown in the histories of Livy and others as cruel tyrants. The last Etruscan oracles King was expelled because of his tyranny and ceremonies be maintained in perpetuity brutality.  Despite being controlled by a non-Roman dynasty the state city grew in power and they prestige. The Etruscans ensured that the Romans were practiced the leaders of the Latin people. This and the territory that was added by Roman priests until the Christian era<ref> Franklin-Hall, pEtruscan kings was very important in the development of Rome and these monarchs laid the foundations for the future Roman domination of Italy. 119 They left an enduring legacy in the symbols of power in Rome. From the royal insignia of the Etruscans came such symbols as the fasces (bundle of sticks) and the ax.<ref> Livy 5, 6</ref>. ==Etruscans and Gladiators==The Etruscan religion, had one unexpected influence on These were later adopted by Republican Rome and that was remained part of the development ceremonial life of the custom city, until the rise of the Papacy in the wake of the fall of gladiator conteststhe Roman Empire. It appears that it was a custom among many Etruscan city <dh-states that they forced men ad/> == What did the Etruscan Kings do to fight to the death at the funeral develop Rome? ==The Etruscan kings were great builders and they transformed Rome from a rude settlement of huts and simple dwellings into a noble or a kingtrue city. The men usually fought to the death monarch probably introduced Etruscans builders and architects into the blood of the slain fighter was a sacrifice to the deities of the underworldcity. The Romans seemed to have adopted this custom sometime during Etruscans were great engineers and they were outstanding builders. Apparently, the period of the Tarquin kings. The Romans largely secularized learned much from the custom Etruscans and the famed Roman expertise in urban planning and engineering originated with their northern neighbors during the monarchy of men fighting although it retained some religious symbolism such as the presence of an attendant dressed as the divinity HermesTarquinii.<ref> BennettFranklin-Hall, Josephp. "194</ref>  The Gladiators." Roman architectural style in the Roman Republic was heavily influenced by the Etruscans. The Hudson Review 12, no. 2 (1959): 167Tarquinii monarchs build a series of sewers in Rome and this made the city more hygienic and allowed the city to grow and prosper. The kings also drained many of the marshes that surrounded the city over several years and this allowed more land to be cultivated to feed the growing population of Rome.  Many of the most distinctive buildings and public works can be traced to the Etruscan period. The city greatly expanded and this meant that new walls had to be built to protect the population. The Tarquins built the Servian Walls and they also fortified some of the other hills around the city. They eventually build a single fortification that enclosed the entire city, these were the Servian Walls.<ref> Lorenzi, Rossella. "Unraveling the Etruscan Enigma." <i>Archaeology 63</i>, no. 6 (2010): 36-43</ref> These walls were so well built that they protected the city for several hundred years. The Etruscans also built many well-known Temples such as the temple of Jupiter. It seemed that they also introduced the vault and the arch into Roman architecture. They are also widely credited with building the first Forum, Rome’s main public space. == What was the relationship between the Etruscans and the Greeks? ==The Etruscans had long had contacts with the Greeks and their alphabet was based on their alphabet. The city-states of Etruria had long been under the cultural influence of the Greeks.<ref>Ullman, B. L. "The Etruscan Origin of the Roman Alphabet and the Names of the Letters." <i>Classical Philology</i> 22, no. 4 (1927): 372-77</ref> The Tarquin kings the Etruscans exposed the Romans to Greek culture. Many Roman nobles would send their sons to schools in Etruscan cities and here they learned Greek and read its literature and philosophy<ref>Livy. 5. 14</ref>  Greek thought and literature enriched Roman culture. The Romans adopted the Greek alphabet and used it for their own language, Latin. Much of Roman literature was based on Greek forms and genres and Roman political thought and philosophy originated in Greek ideas. By the second century BCE many the male elite could speak Greek and many were educated in Athens.<ref> Franklin-Hall, p. 115</ref> == How did Etruscan religion influence Roman Religion? ==Little is known about the nature of Etruscan religion but many writers have declared it to be ‘gloomy’. It seems that the exact influence of Etruscan religion and myths on Rome will never be known. It seems that the Romans did adopt some Etruscan deities and demons. These demons were eventually transmitted to the Christians.<ref> Bonfante, Larissa. "An Etruscan Demon in Pompeii." In <i>KOINE: Mediterranean Studies in Honor of R. Ross Holloway</i>, edited by Counts Derek B. and Tuck Anthony S., 96-99. (Oxford; Oakville: Oxbow Books, 2009), p. 97</ref>  The Etruscans were renowned for their oracles and prophecies. One of the Tarquin kings purchased the Syballine books, which became the prophetic literature of Rome from an Etruscan temple. Oracles played a very important part of the religion of Rome.<ref>"Gods in Harmony: The Etruscan Pantheon." <i>In The Religion of the Etruscans</i>, edited by Simon Erika, De Grummond Nancy Thomson, and Simon Erika, (University of Texas Press, 2006), p. 45</ref>  Many of these oracles were of Etruscan origin and these were known as the Haruspices. This was the art of interpreting the will of the Gods. Soothsayers from Etruria were very much in demand and seemed to have passed on their skills to the local Roman priests. The Etruscan soothsayers could allegedly understand the will of the Gods by observing phenomenon such as lightning. Another Etruscan method for understanding the wishes of the Gods was the examination of the internal organs of sacrificed animals. One of the more curious Etruscan traditions was the observation of the way some sacred chickens ate their food to understand the divine will. Even after the Etruscan kings were expelled the Romans still respected the oracles of the Etruscans. The Roman Senate ordained that the Etruscan oracles and ceremonies be maintained in perpetuity by the state and they were practiced by Roman priests until the Christian era.<ref> Franklin-Hall, p. 119</ref> == What role did the Etruscans do to make Gladiators popular? ==The Etruscan religion, had one unexpected influence on Rome and that was the development of the custom of gladiator contests. It appears that it was a custom among many Etruscan city-states that they forced men to fight to the death at the funeral of a noble or a king. The men usually fought to the death and the blood of the slain fighter was a sacrifice to the deities of the underworld. The Romans seemed to have adopted this custom sometime during the period of the Tarquin kings.  The Romans largely secularized the custom of men fighting although it retained some religious symbolism such as the presence of an attendant dressed as the divinity Hermes.<ref> Bennett, Joseph. "The Gladiators." <i>The Hudson Review</i> 12, no. 2 (1959): 167-74</ref> The Romans over the course of the centuries took what was essentially an Etruscan religious ceremony and turned it into a gory public sporting event. == Conclusion ==The Etruscans were in many ways the predecessors of the Romans. They influenced the young city-74</ref>state in many ways. The Etruscans' culture exposed the Romans over to the course ideas of the centuries took what was essentially an Etruscan Greeks and new religious ceremony and turned it into a gory public sporting eventpractices. ==Conclusion==The Etruscans were in many ways the predecessors of taught the Romansboth engineering and building skills. They also decisively influenced the young city-state in many waysclassical Roman architectural style. The Etruscans culture exposed the Romans to the ideas They also developed the economy of the Greekscity, new religious practicesfor instance by draining the marshes adjacent to Rome.  The Etruscans taught the Romans engineering and building skills and decisively influenced the classical Roman architectural style. They also developed the economy of the city, for instance by draining the marshes adjacent to Rome. The era of era of the Etruscan monarchs is often portrayed as a period of tyranny yet these kings expanded the city and its territory and made it the leading power in central Italy. It is arguable that the Etruscans paved the way for the Romans to become a power in Italy and in the Mediterranean.  ===References===<references/>[[Category:Wikis]] [[Category:Roman History]] [[Category:Ancient History]] [[Category:Military History]] [[Category:Italian History]] {{Contributors}}