Etruscan

A brilliant culture once controlled almost the entire peninsula we now call Italy. This was the Etruscan civilization.

c. 800–500 B.C.E.

Beginner's Guide

What is Etruscan art?

videos + essays

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<em>Ombra della sera</em>
Ombra della sera

It may be a surprise to learn that this playfully elongated form is not a modern sculpture—it's an ancient Etruscan votive object.

The Regolini-Galassi tomb and the Parade Fibula
The Regolini-Galassi tomb and the Parade Fibula

The assemblage of objects in the Regolini-Galassi tomb represents a broad geographic range and an aesthetic that indicates the influence of the ancient Near East.

The François Tomb
The François Tomb

The François Tomb is chock-full of elaborate frescoes with complicated messages we may never fully understand.

Etruscan Necropolises of Cerveteri and Tarquinia (from UNESCO/NHK)
Etruscan Necropolises of Cerveteri and Tarquinia (from UNESCO/NHK)

Doors to the afterlife, Etruscan tombs were happily decorated. But as war increased, that began to change.

<em>Apulu (Apollo of Veii)</em>
Apulu (Apollo of Veii)

Confronting Hercules in the middle of his labors, this clay statue of Apollo strides forward.

<em>Aule Metele (Arringatore)</em>
Aule Metele (Arringatore)

An Etruscan in Roman clothing, this figure is a masterwork—made as Etruscan culture was slipping away.

<em>Mars of Todi</em>
Mars of Todi

Lighting struck this statue dedicated to the Etruscan god of war, marking it as a particularly sacred object.

<em>Chimera of Arezzo</em>
Chimera of Arezzo

A vicious mythic beast, the Chimera is a terrifying mix of animals—that even attacks itself.

<em>Tomb of the Reliefs</em>
Tomb of the Reliefs

All signs point to a party: cushions, drinking equipment, and armor hung on the wall … but a party in a tomb?

Tomb of the Triclinium
Tomb of the Triclinium

Etruscan funerals were a celebration, where the living could share a final meal with the deceased.

<em>Sarcophagus of the Spouses</em> (Louvre)
Sarcophagus of the Spouses (Louvre)

Women in Etruscan society were far more active in public life than their Greek and Roman neighbors.

<em>Sarcophagus of the Spouses</em> (Rome)
Sarcophagus of the Spouses (Rome)

The intimacy of this clay sculpture is unprecedented in the ancient world. What can it tell us about Etruscan culture?

Selected Contributors