Ancient Etruscan Art

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Etruscan Art! Ancient Etruscan society has influenced many cultures and their art during and after their reign in Italy. With one of the richest cultural histories in the world, Italy is a treasure chest of architecture and art. As location of some of the fiercest fighting in both World Wars, home of the Vatican, origin of the Renaissance, and seat of the Roman Empire, Italy remains the premier tourist destination of the Old World. Long before Italy consolidated its loosely allied kingdoms into a nation and long before the Roman Empire reached its peak of culture and power, a small ancient culture, the Etruscans, existed in the Po River Valley, just south of the Alps.

Having left few written documents behind, aside from religious texts, the Etruscans continue to be an enigma to historians and archaeologists. Roman historical texts briefly mention a pre-Republic time when Rome was under the rule of an Etruscan king. According to this tradition, the Romans rebelled and established their independence. A few centuries later, they not only dominated Italy, but the entire Mediterranean world. The Glory of Rome owes more to Etruscan influence than a jump start to power, though. Much of what contemporary history and tradition attributes to Roman culture originates in Etruscan society.

The Etruscans, like the Hebrews, are noted for developing one of the first " revealed " religions, that is, a religion that is explained through a text such as the Bible. The ancient Greeks and Babylonians, for example, approached their religion through a series of stories, or myths. The Romans approached their religion through feast and ritual. Unlike the Greeks and Hindus, who developed their pantheons of deities from a common Indo-European heritage, the Etruscans formed an independent and uniquely "western" religious system. Roman gods are evidence of a marriage of the two disparate systems. The Etruscans also celebrated a cult of the dead, corresponding to the Pagan holiday, Halloween, and the Mexican holiday, Dia de los Muertos. It is from this cult and the possible tradition of human sacrifice, that historians believe the Romans developed their love of the gladiator.

Present-day knowlege of Etruscan life outside of religious texts and Roman histories is derived from ancient Etruscan art: pottery and fresco paintings. Black Figure Amphora vases represent early Etruscan artistic endeavors. Featuring detailed representations of animals and fantastical beasts, spear-wielding hunters and fierce charioteers, these amphorae give evidence of the importance of military prowess and martial skill in Etruscan life. Later pieces, such as Red Figure Craters and Vases, depict ornate foliage and dancers participating in religious festivals. Two of the most celebrated Etruscan archaeological sites, Tomb of the Leopard and Tombe de Triclinio, also depict dancing and festivities, most likely in honor of the deceased, in the tradition of their cult of the dead. Another famous site, Tomb of the Barons, includes frescoes depicting libation offerings, offerings of wine or water poured onto the ground to gratify underworld deities. Etruscan art and culture is important in its link to the development of Roman culture and thereby Italian heritage and history. Their impressive and detailed frescoes and pottery bring back to life a long lost and exotic culture that formed the building blocks for society and art for centuries to come. Therefore, appreciation of Etruscan art gives us a brief glimpse of the obscure origins of Italy and the Roman Empire.

James Webb©2004