What were Etruscan's?

Answer 1

It is difficult to ascertain the actual extent of Etruscan influence on Rome. The fashionable theory that the Etruscans conquered or dominated Rome, or that the urban development of Rome in the 6th century BC was due to the Etruscans has been challenged. The evidence base of this theory is flimsy and it is based on unproven assumptions. Recent archaeological evidence suggests a different picture. Moreover, the Etruscan civilisation disappeared quite early and very little Etruscan writing, which has not been fully deciphered, has survived. There are minimal archaeological finds in the city of Rome because the Etruscans had an influence in the archaic (early) days of Rome and ancient Rome was continually redeveloped over the many centuries of its history. The Etruscans were one of the various peoples who had some influence on Roman religion. Early Roman architecture might have been influenced by the Etruscans as well as the Greeks. However, if this was the case, the Etruscan order (style) was soon abandoned. The Roman preferred the Greek orders because the Etruscan one was unadorned and rustic.

According to the Roman tradition, the 5th king of Rome, who was half Etruscan and half Greek, introduced the following Etruscan customs:

• The celebration of triumphs in Etruscan style

• The golden chariot of the king

• The fasces, a bundle of wooden sticks with an axe sticking out in the middle. This was used by the lictors, the guards of the consuls and the praetor. They were also a symbol of the power and authority of the consuls and the praetors.