Before Rome became the glorious icon of power in the ancient European region, there was an ancient culture that ruled over them: this culture – has in modern times – been referred to as the Etruscan civilization. The Etruscan people ruled over much of what today is Italy. In fact, the most notable area named after the Etruscan people is known as Tuscany in Europe. So where did they originate from? Here’s the kicker though: nobody really knows where the Etruscan people originated from. Theories have been put forth by various scholars both ancient and contemporary, to trace the origin of this people: However, none have been validated. Ancient Greek Scholar Herodotus theorised that they came from Lydia before they settled in the vast areas of Italy and declared dominion over the Roman people. There connection to the Roman people however runs deep. The romans referred to them as the Etrusci. The Etruscans loved their abstract art, their ‘gladiator’ sort of entertainment and exhibited an aristocratic form of government. Most of these practices and cultures were adopted by the Romans.
There are a lot of similarities between the roman culture and the Etruscan culture. 1to begin with, the Etruscans were a religious people and attributed everything to their gods. This was deeply embedded in their culture so much so that scholars have yet to find a distinction between the secular and religious aspect. They had many Gods and shared odd reasoning of nature – for instance lightning was believed to occur due to colliding clouds. The roman culture would later copy this system of belief and invent supreme gods such as Zeus who could throw down thunderbolts.
In a bid to do research, a methodology has to be design in a manner that explores all avenues without incurring reasonable doubt. This research paper’s main objective is to explore the Etruscan culture. Who were they? Where did they come from? What views are expressed and cumulatively accepted by scholars to best depict who they were. The views and findings will be compared to aspects of the Roman culture. How did the Etruscans influence the Roman People? What similarities are there between the two civilizations in terms of Governance, Culture, Language any other similarities that will be established in the course of this essay? Therefore, the Etruscan political, artistic, religious and architectural aspects against those of their Roman counterparts will be investigated in this paper.
The Etruscans’ identity and how they influenced the early Rome.
Ancient Greek historians have held the collective opinion that the first Etruscans, a branch of Pelasgians, used to live in Aegean Region. However, some of these ancient historians – such as Herodotus – claim that they originated from Lydia, a small kingdom of western Anatolia. As a matter of fact, their origin and early culture, remains mysterious and obscure even at the present time. However, a lot has been explored about their early culture (around 600 B.C), the time when Roman culture was undergoing rapid developments in terms of civilizations.
During this period, the Etruscan cities were flourishing both in Italy and Rome. Between 700BC and 600BC, the influence of Etruscan culture and civilization while it was in power was evident in Rome through art. With the Roman myth, archaeologies such as shepherd villages on seven hills (Rome), scholars would speculate that the history of Rome started with Etruscans. The key of Etruscan impact on Rome was the "Etruscan development," the name offered today to the way of life and lifestyle of an individual’s of ancient Italians that early Romans referred to as Etrusci. The dialect contains aspects of Etruscan culture that were assimilated by early romans and established for use in speech in the State of Rome in Europe a while later. The Roman empire used the influence of the Etruscan military might to established alliances - Etruria, Po valley and Latium and Campania – that marked a distinction between ancient Rome and the Roman State. Evidence also points to the fact that the Romans conspired with the Latinos and Greeks to bring about the fall of the Etruscan Empire.
A great part of Etruria culture can be traced in the local populations inhabiting the areas previously established as Etruscan; the Etruscan custom of birth shaped a selective position. Ladies had a strangely high status contrasted with the old Greeks and Romans. Etruscan riches and influence have been linked to their art of iron smelting and trade in said item across the sea. Etruscan craftsmanship, which to a great extent comprised of figure in dirt and metal, fresco tomb depictions, and fine ceramics, had some of its birthplaces in Greek and Eastern expressions: all of which were adopted by their roman counterparts. Etruscans valued entertainment and invented the chariot races that were designed to be dangerous and bloody. Slaves would also be pitted together to fight to the death: this is the basis of the Roman Coliseum. They were likewise very religious. They shared an religious system that is strange in comparison to religious systems and established strict norms on adherence to religion. They also had a strong belief of a land of the dead where all dead people would live in: as such, they invested in abstract art to express love for their dead. Even though Etruscans are most popularly known for their religious values, it is also the one aspect of their culture that remains entirely puzzling.
Generally, the Etruscans designed their major Cities in northern Rome to unite and operate as one. This was to take advantage of ancient Rome’s defensive position. They transformed the old roman villages into great cities. The Etruscans presented new urban architectural infrastructure that was rectangular in design. They also introduced systems of conveying sewage out of the cities. Their architectural designs utilised previously unknown designs at the time – some of which were utilised by the Romans to facilitate the curvature of the coliseums. Etruscans were traders and invested in the trade of iron – a practice they were greatly advanced in at the time – and also introduced horticultural systems of farming in Rome.
The Etruscans were also influenced by Greek systems of knowledge – in addition to their own advancement – they were the preferred educators in ancient times. Roman nobles in this era would send their children to be instructed in Etruscan schools. It is worth noting that such noble also sent their children for further studies in Greek nation: which further advances the theory that the Etruscans borrowed a lot in terms of knowledge from the Greeks. The Etruscan culture entertained a tradition of celebrating the passing of prominent individuals in their societies to grant them a kind farewell into the afterlife. They partook in a custom of warriors battling in the course of funeral proceedings: a custom that was adopted by the Roman Counterparts. For instance, Roman funeral proceedings were a pompous affair: and this was specifically arranged for the prominent and occasionally those considered great.
At the height of their power, Etruscan empire was responsible for positioning Rome as a powerful state within Italy. Romans made use of this power by imposing dominion on their neighbours: who would later conspire with the Romans to overthrow their Etruscan masters. The Romans had the advantage against the Etruscans in the war while the Etruscans' free association into an alliance of sovereign City States made them vulnerable to assault by the Greeks in South Italy who were their opponents: in exchange for trading routes on the water assured by the Romans. Consequently, the Greeks won the war and the Romans emancipated themselves from their masters’ rule around 500 B.C.E. on the other hand later. In any case, Etruscan animosity did not guarantee a solid power base for the Romans. Only a century later, were they able to possess the power and discharge it fully.
Ancient Rome was remarkably influenced by Etruscan Culture. At the height of power in 600BC; the Etruscans would later lose the power by 400BC: when it was acquired forcefully by the Romans. The growing military might of the Greeks to the South also took advantage of the autonomous City States of the Etruscans to weaken the military in regions bordering their own cities. For example, Rome got rid of the Etruscan state officials to make the once confederate City States into independent States. Roman tribes in the north such as the Gallic tribe for instance invaded the northern Italy Etruscan urban states. The main city state within the Etruscan Empire has the advantage of architectural designs that enabled them to easily combat the rising rebellion of the Romans. They would eventually give up all power after two centuries of war with the Romans. The Etruscans talked a one of a kind dialect, random to those of their neighbours. The Etruscans way of life greatly influenced the Romans. In fact, the early Rome starting point and letter is greatly set on the Etruscans culture.
Rome was established in an area that was inherently Etruscan country: as a result, forms of establishment and traditions of their master were adopted by early Romans at the time. In fact, the name ‘Rome” itself has its roots in Etruscan culture: similar to the names of its incredible authors, Romulus and Remus. Prior to the arrival and domination of Etruscan people, it is likely the Roman villages at the time comprised of settlements who mainly partook in farming. The arrival of the Etruscans people introduced political systems (government, armed force) and urban architectural foundations (dividers, gathering, seepage framework); as such, it was the Etruscan influence in ancient Rome that was responsible for the transformation of Rome. There are a few words in Latin language borrowed from Etruscan language. However, all those borrowed share a common aspect of connoting State concepts.: the frock palmata (a justice's robe), the sella curulis (officer's seat), and the fasces - a heap of whipping bars encompassing a two-fold bladed hatchet, conveyed by judge's chaperons (lictors). The fasces symbolized authoritative force. Additionally, the word crowded is of Etruscan inference, and initially alluded to the general population collected for war, as an armed force, as opposed to the general masses. The ancient Romans were – to a large extent – influenced by the masters – the Etruscans – whose engraved designs can still be found in Romans' written work, architecture and civil engineering, religious culture, military organisation, chariot among other miniature influence. In this way forming Roman human advancement, the Etruscans had along these lines a persevering impact on the Rome.
Modern interpretations
Over the last 100 years, different views concerning the Etruscans influence on Rome have emerged. Most of these views seem to share a partial bias in support the ancient writing. For instance, contemporary history students contend that much of Rome was developed by Italians. They confirm these claims by tracing evidence through foundations, language, religious components and other social components. For example, the modern historians argue that, the roman language only integrated few prefixes and suffixes from the Etruscans such as Sveama-χ '(someone from Sovana) and -χ: Velzna-χ '(someone from Volsinii') – which cannot prove that the language conclusively originated from Etruscan. In fact, most of the Romans writings had more of italics, indicating that they had greatly been influenced by Italy as opposed to Etruscans. The genuine picture is fairly more confusing - not slightest claims can be supported on the grounds that the Etruscan urban areas were isolated elements which never met up to shape a solitary Etruscan state. There were also Italic and Latin component in the Roman language that were assimilated into Roman forms of writing and speech largely as their multicultural system of society.
The cutting edge antiquarians additionally trust that, just little is thought about the engineering of the antiquated Etruscans. As an issue of the realities, they adjusted the engineering styles with impact from the outside appearance of Roman Culture. As of right now, the Ancient Roman engineering could thusly not have started with Etruscan styles, taking note of that it had further impact in the Greek society. Indeed, Roman sanctuaries demonstrate the equipped of Romans in design abilities when contrasted with the Etruscan sanctuaries and also those of Greeks. The places of the rich Rome were apparently frequently vast and happy with indicating solid will to survive (presently relics) rather than those of Etruscans which would be based on chambers under "necropoli" and "tumulus." It is from these realities that cutting edge clarification contends that the Etruscan engineering did not impact the Greco-Roman traditional design.
It is essentially important to note that emerging views support the notion that Rome was founded by Etruscans. From modern stand point of interpretations, it becomes unnecessary to discuss the influence of Etruscans on Rome noting that they originally shared common cultural aspects and governance. Consider this; Prehistoric studies affirm a broad level of demolition of Rome by flame dated on 15 B.C.E. - 17 C.E which as per antiquated history executed every one of the Romans pioneers. Historical evidence points out that the Etruscans would later reside in Tuscu Vicus and assume a system of governance administered by Lords of Etruscan descent. For instance Demaratus, Tarquinius and Lucius Tarquinius were all lords who shared one blood line.. If one somehow managed to start describing every one of the organizations and persons said to be Etruscan, and contrasting social items with ones known not belonging to Etruscan birthplace, an initially Romans from a intermarriages with Etruscan settlers shows up unmistakably. Etruscans was the birth parent of Rome: all the rulers were of one bllodline that was inherently Etruscan and the government was dominated entirely by them.
Nevertheless, the advancement of the Roman social systems that made it the great Kingdom it came to be was all due to its parent, Etruscan. Therefore, Etruscan culture was the template upon which Rome was built: and Rome united Europe and the Mediterranean Region. Today, the Roman system of governance and social systems are still in use within most European societies. Despite all this development and advancement that is now witnessed in contemporary Europe, all the credit is given to the Roman Empire: which was born from Etruscan ideals. This is because the Romans did not accept the idea of Etrusci as their parent.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Etruscans are believed to belong to Pelasgians dating back from 700 B.C. More importantly, Etruscans were an advanced civilization that controlled almost the entire Ancient Rome. It is due to the dominion over Rome that they were able to influenced ancient Rome art, engineering, political and religion. Although the modern ideas conflict with the impacts, the influence of the “Etruscans Civilization” and heritage on the Rome cannot be overlooked. In fact, the Roman social systems were born from the Etruscan systems of socialisation. It is therefore possible to conclude that the Etruscans had quite an impact on the way of life adopted by Rome: an ancient civilization whose efforts united much of the European Region and the Mediterranean Regions. The political and social systems in most of these countries depict roman culture.
References
