Introduction
Etruscan is an ancient italic culture that was developed from a prehistoric civilization referred to as Villanova. The Etruscans mainly settled within the central region of Italy specifically between Tiber and Arno rivers. The Etruscan civilization was once a brilliant culture that has disappeared over time but represents the foundation for ancient development of Roman art and culture as well as the Italian Renaissance. The Etruscans were considered as the first “superpowers” in the entire peninsula currently referred to as Italy. In fact the Etruscans established most cities in Western Mediterranean by working alongside Greeks. Cities such as Pisa, Florence and Siena are examples of the great works done by the Etruscans. However, little history of the Etruscan community exists but they are also credited for teaching the alphabet and spreading literacy to the Romans and throughout the Italian peninsula. However, over 13,000 Etruscan texts still exists though very brief, The art and archaeological records contained most of the historical evidence of the Etruscan civilization. Most Etruscan primary sites that majorly consist of sanctuaries ad cemeteries have been excavated for study particularly in Veii, Tarquinia, Cerveteri, Vulci and Vetulonia. Moreover, the vivid tomb paintings done in bold colors serve as a constant reminder of the Etruscan’s belief of life, death and myths (Haynes 4)
Growth and Spread of the Etruscan Art and Architecture
Etruscan art was a product of the Etruscan civilization that occurred in Central Italy between the 9th and 2nd Centuries B.C. However, during 600 BC Greek art had a great influence upon the Etruscan art and architecture. The Greek art works were very popular such that Etruscan community greatly imported it, tried to replicate it but making sure that they always retained the distinct characteristics of the Etruscan community. Moreover, the Etruscan influence on ancient Roman culture come through reforms in cultural and artistic traditions, gladiatorial combat spectacles, application of hydraulic engineering, temple design and religious rituals (Haynes 6). The Etruscans embraced a very vibrant architectural and artistic culture which continuously interacted with other Mediterranean cultures. It was through the trading of natural mineral resources that the Etruscans came into close contact with other civilizations such as the Greeks, Egyptians and Phoenicians with the Greeks having most influence in their art and architecture.
However, most of Etruscan art is attributed largely to their burial places since most of the Etruscan art and architecture remains hidden under the Mediaeval, Roman and Renaissance layers. In most Etruscan tombs or graves most of the work of art can be identified since according to the Etruscan culture they believed in equipping the dead with everything necessary for quick transition into the afterlife. Therefore, most of the Etruscan art is evident in the lively tomb paintings and sculptures in their pottery. Moreover, in their belief that the dead started a new life; they constructed hut urns made from unrefined clay referred to as impasto where the cremated remains of the decease would be kept. Drawing from the hut urns, this gives a rough picture of what a typical Etruscan house looked like in the Iron Age Etruria which is spread between 900 and 750 B.C.E. which would be a basic oval timber roof with a smoke hole for the internal hearth (Haynes 13).
With time, the Etruscan civilization adopted more elaborate opulent tombs for their dead especially during the orientalizing period between 750-575 BCE where the Etruscans could readily trade their natural resources with other Mediterranean civilizations with differing cultures. As a result of their continued growth in wealth attained from the trade, more opulent art and architecture was established with more opulent tombs being the main fascination. The famous Regolini Galassi tomb in the City of Cerveteri reveals how their new found wealth had transformed the modest hut urns into extravagant houses built for the dead. Particularly, in the Regolini-Galassi tomb built for a high rank lady, it is characterize by a massive stone tomb that contains a large corridor with laterally occurring oval rooms that lead to the main chamber. Within her tomb also objects made from various precious materials that were intended for her use in the afterlife were found. A gold pectoral, a gold brooch, gold bracelets and other silver and bronze vessels that included grave goods and furniture were found in her grave alongside a bronze bed, an incense burner, amber and ivory jewelry (Huntsman 1).
Infusion of the Greek Culture into the Etruscan Culture
Originally, the Etruria region where the Etruscans lived was richly endowed with metals particularly copper, iron and bronze. As a resulted, the Etruscans were credited as master bronze smiths who would export their finished wares across the Mediterranean region. Additionally, the Etruscans were famous for making fine bronze thrones and decorate chariots with exquisite hammered reliefs made of cast statues and statuettes as well as ornate vessels. Mirrors and stands were also part of the huge achievements that the Etruscan artists were able to achieve through Greek influence in their artwork especially in the Archaic and Classical periods (ca. 490-300 B.C). The existence of opulent jewelry and semi-precious valuable stones also revealed the Eastern Greek and Levantine art forms adapted into the Etruscan culture. Importantly, the vibrant trade activity within the Mediterranean region involved exchange of exotic materials which were supplied to artists for their use. The availability of ivory, amber, ostrich eggs and precious stones in the community fostered the development of gem engraving and other related art work. Moreover, the Etruscans were revered for their terracotta freestanding sculptures and architectural reliefs. Particularly in the funerary artwork characterized by sarcophagi and cinerary urns that were curved in high relief models this compromised the rich source of evidence for artistic achievement especially in the late classical and Hellenistic periods.
The Etruscan language is identified as being uniquely non-Indo-European outlier of the ancient Greco-Roman world. This is because there are no known parent languages to Etruscan and neither are there modern descendants as Latin has replaced it over time. The Etruscan language did not exist in any written form before the seventh century B.C where the Etruscans interacted with the Euboean Greek colonialists and traders. The Etruscans are believed to have adopted the Euboean Greek alphabet and adapted it to fulfill its phonological and grammatical in integrating their native language. The Etruscans are believed to have written from right towards the left, while the existing Greek letters are reversed in orientation. Moreover, some traditional Greek Inscriptions are also written in the same format and style from right to left which reveals that the Etruscan society borrowed greatly from the Greek society. Though there are no surviving histories or literature in Estrucan, the existence of the Etruscan abecedarium occurring in inkwell form as well as other artistic representations in scrolls and books which reveals that they were written in traditional perishable materials therefore their preservation was difficulty (Haynes 37). However, Etruscan inscriptions played a number of roles by revealing the intended purpose of the objects.
Conclusion
The Etruscan art and architecture reveals the great investments made by the society. Moreover, the adaptation of the Greek methodologies changed their artwork improving on the previous forms. Moreover, the Etruscan artists were able to efficiently incorporate new designs and use varied materials in creating priceless art works and architecture. Particularly, the Greek influence resulted in varying models of tombs, housing, jewelry, and pottery as well as their way of life such that they adopted the Euboean alphabet that assisted them to develop an unique language. The success of the Etruscan art and architecture is highly attributed to the extensive use of Greek methodologies and art work.
Works Cited
Haynes, Sybille. “Etruscan Civilization: A Cultural History.” Paul Getty Museum. 2005. Paperback.
Hemingway, Colette, and Sean Hemingway. “Etruscan Art.” In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metroploitan Museum of Art, 2000. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/etla/hd_etla.htm (January 2017)
Huntsman, Theresa. “Etruscan Language and Inscriptions. “ In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metroploitan Museum of Art, 2000. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/etla/hd_etla.htm (January 2017)
