Etruscan Italy: Life and Afterlife

The Etruscans were major contributors to some of Western civilization’s greatest achievements in architecture, engineering, and art. A sophisticated and wealthy people living in central Italy between the 8th and 2nd centuries BCE, the Etruscans leave us much of their past through their material culture, namely, tombs, temples, habitation sites, and more. By the 7th century BCE the Etruscans had created a broad network of commercial and artistic trade routes throughout the Mediterranean and were avid importers of Greek and Near Eastern art. Their artistic legacy lives on in their tomb paintings, bronze and clay sculpture, vase paintings and gold jewelry. In fact, since their literature has not survived, it is from their material history that we learn about their fascinating culture.