The Etruscans: A New Investigation

by Mauro Christofani

The Teruscan civilization in Italy has guarded its secrets well for over two thousand years--indeed, its origins are still shrouded in mystery. While knowledge of Etruscan, the earliest written language in Italy, is limited, since too few texts have been found to provide a complete picture, excavation of settlements and burial places continues to cause scholarly excitement. The pottery, terracotta, iron and bronze artifacts that have been found are continually shedding new light on what was one of the most settled and sophisticated societies of the ancient world.

This new study, by a prominent Italian archaeologist, looks at the life and culture of these literate and artistic people who flourished between about 1000 BC and 300 BC when they were colonized by the Romans. The author describes their environment and the development of trade, local skills and the written language which were stimulated by contacts with the Greek city-states. Although he concentrates on their language and literature and especially on the religious beliefs, Mauro Cristofani also analyses the political, economic and social structures of a society that has had a profound effect upon Roman culture. Many of the Etruscans' gods, beliefs and doctrines were adopted by the Romans, and such was their level of learning that the wealthier Romans sent their sons to Etruria for their education.

By drawing on current methods of linguistics and contemporary anthropological theories as well as on all available archaeological evidence, Mauro Cristofani presents an engrossing, comprehensive account of a fascinating people.

Genres: History

128 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1979