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70. Southern Etruria

  • Andrea Zifferero
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Etruscology
This chapter is in the book Etruscology

Abstract

Southern Etruria is the region between the Tyrrhenian coast and the right bank of the Tiber. It includes Veii, Caere, Tarquinii, the Faliscan and Capenate ager, Vulci and Vulcian territory as far as the Albegna Valley, Volsinii and the southwest area of Lake Bolsena centered around Bisenzio, and finally, Perugia and the Tiber Valley. The geomorphology of the region-with an accessible coastline with numerous landings and tufa plateaus of 150 or more hectares-encouraged the formation of cities and the development of important ports. Systematic excavations have identified Final Bronze Age and Early Iron Age settlements with proto-urban characteristics on tufa plateaus surrounded by outcrops with necropolises. Beginning in the second half of the eighth century BCE, settlements developed from pro to-urban centers into historic cities, with the definitive organization of plateaus that were fortified in exposed areas, and elaborate necropolises, including fossa tombs, chamber tombs, and tumuli that reflected the gentilicial structure of resident communities. Aristocracies were clearly dominant in this period. Excavations have highlighted the flourishing of minor settlements in citycontrolled territories, imitating Etruscan cities on a minor scale with plateaus of 5-10 ha and nearby necropolises. Between the Late Orientalizing and the Archaic periods, the progressive development of crafts, together with the increasing population of the countryside, supported the significant production of cereals, wine, and oil. These phenomena hint at the rise of social classes associated with agricultural production, manufacturing, and trade, which weakened aristocratic power and brought about major changes in the structure of the Tyrrhenian cities. Between the mid sixth and mid fifth centuries, these classes were governed by tyrant-kings who transformed the cities, introducing new cults and renovating the sanctuaries. The crises experienced by the coastal southern Etruscan cities from the middle of the fifth century brought urban social unrest until the power of the aristocracy was restored in the fourth century. During the fourth and third centuries, Roman expansion into Etruria caused the destruction and depopulation of most Etruscan cities. In some cases communities were transferred to other, less protected sites. During the Early Imperial period, the region declined and eventually became part of the Augustan Regia VII.

Abstract

Southern Etruria is the region between the Tyrrhenian coast and the right bank of the Tiber. It includes Veii, Caere, Tarquinii, the Faliscan and Capenate ager, Vulci and Vulcian territory as far as the Albegna Valley, Volsinii and the southwest area of Lake Bolsena centered around Bisenzio, and finally, Perugia and the Tiber Valley. The geomorphology of the region-with an accessible coastline with numerous landings and tufa plateaus of 150 or more hectares-encouraged the formation of cities and the development of important ports. Systematic excavations have identified Final Bronze Age and Early Iron Age settlements with proto-urban characteristics on tufa plateaus surrounded by outcrops with necropolises. Beginning in the second half of the eighth century BCE, settlements developed from pro to-urban centers into historic cities, with the definitive organization of plateaus that were fortified in exposed areas, and elaborate necropolises, including fossa tombs, chamber tombs, and tumuli that reflected the gentilicial structure of resident communities. Aristocracies were clearly dominant in this period. Excavations have highlighted the flourishing of minor settlements in citycontrolled territories, imitating Etruscan cities on a minor scale with plateaus of 5-10 ha and nearby necropolises. Between the Late Orientalizing and the Archaic periods, the progressive development of crafts, together with the increasing population of the countryside, supported the significant production of cereals, wine, and oil. These phenomena hint at the rise of social classes associated with agricultural production, manufacturing, and trade, which weakened aristocratic power and brought about major changes in the structure of the Tyrrhenian cities. Between the mid sixth and mid fifth centuries, these classes were governed by tyrant-kings who transformed the cities, introducing new cults and renovating the sanctuaries. The crises experienced by the coastal southern Etruscan cities from the middle of the fifth century brought urban social unrest until the power of the aristocracy was restored in the fourth century. During the fourth and third centuries, Roman expansion into Etruria caused the destruction and depopulation of most Etruscan cities. In some cases communities were transferred to other, less protected sites. During the Early Imperial period, the region declined and eventually became part of the Augustan Regia VII.

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. 1. Introduction 1
  4. Part 1
  5. I. Methods
  6. 2. An ancient question: the origin of the Etruscans 11
  7. 3. The Etruscans in Ancient literature 35
  8. 4. History of Etruscology 53
  9. 5. Etruscan Art or Art of the Etruscans? 69
  10. 6. Iconography and iconology, Nineteenth to Twenty-first centuries 79
  11. 7. Approaches to the study of the language 95
  12. 8. DNA and Etruscan identity 109
  13. II. Issues
  14. 9. Political organization and magistrates 121
  15. 10. Economy and trade 143
  16. 11. War and Weaponry 165
  17. 12. Society 179
  18. 13. Feasts. Wine and Society. eighth-sixth centuries BCE 195
  19. 14. Banqueting and food 207
  20. 15. Sports 221
  21. 16. Dance 233
  22. 17. Alphabets and language 245
  23. II. Issues
  24. 18. Religion 277
  25. 19. Death and burial 317
  26. 20. Haruspicy from the Ancient Near East to Etruria 341
  27. 21. Prophecy and divination 357
  28. II. Issues
  29. 22. Ships and Shipping 371
  30. 23. Harbors 391
  31. 24. Vehicles and roads 407
  32. 25. Mines and Metal Working 425
  33. 26. The mines on the island of Elba 445
  34. 27. Coins and mints 463
  35. 28. Weights and balances 473
  36. 29. Textiles and Dress 485
  37. 30. Musical instruments 505
  38. 31. Etruscan gold dental appliances 523
  39. Part 2
  40. III. History
  41. 32. The Historical Framework 537
  42. 33. The transition from village communities to protourban societies 561
  43. 34. The diffusion of Near Eastern cultures 581
  44. 35. Urban Civilization 617
  45. 36. Hellenism in Central Italy 645
  46. 37. Romanization 665
  47. 38. The Etruscan legacy 685
  48. IV. Civilization
  49. 39. Hut Architecture, 10th cent.-730 BCE 723
  50. 40. Handicrafts, 10th cent.-730 BCE 739
  51. 41. Society, 10th cent.-730 BCE 759
  52. 42. Ritual and cults, 10th cent.-730 BCE 779
  53. 43. Economy, 10th cent.-730 BCE 795
  54. 44. External Relationships, 10th cent.-730 BCE 811
  55. IV. Civilization
  56. 45. Art, 730–580 BCE 831
  57. 46. Handicraft, 730–580 BCE 851
  58. 47. Society, 730–580 BCE 869
  59. 48. Ritual and cults, 730–580 BCE 885
  60. 49. Economy, 730–580 BCE 901
  61. 50. External Relationships, 730–580 BC 921
  62. IV. Civilization
  63. 51. Archaic and Late Archaic Art, 580–450 BCE 943
  64. 52. Handicrafts, 580–450 BCE 971
  65. 53. Society, 580–450 BCE 985
  66. 54. Ritual and Cults, 580–450 BCE 1001
  67. 55. Economy, 580–450 BCE 1013
  68. 56. External relationships, 580–450 BCE 1031
  69. IV. Civilization
  70. 57. Late Classical and Hellenistic art, 450–250 BCE 1049
  71. 58. Handicraft, 450–250 BCE 1079
  72. 59. Society, 450-250 BCE 1101
  73. 60. Ritual and cults, 450–250 BCE 1117
  74. 61. Economy, 450–250 BCE 1129
  75. 62. External Relationships, 450–250 BCE 1141
  76. IV. Civilization
  77. 63. Art, 250–89 BCE 1161
  78. 64. Handicraft, 250–89 BCE 1173
  79. 65. Society, 250–89 BCE 1191
  80. 66. Ritual and Cults, 250–89 BCE 1203
  81. 67. Economy, 250–89 BCE 1215
  82. 68. External Relationships, 250–89 BCE 1223
  83. V. Topography of Etruria
  84. 69. The landscape and environment of Etruria 1239
  85. 70. Southern Etruria 1251
  86. 71. Northern Etruria 1299
  87. 72. Settlement Patterns and Land Use 1339
  88. VI. Etruscans outside Etruria
  89. 73. Southern Campania 1359
  90. 74. Northern Campania 1395
  91. VI. Etruscans outside Etruria
  92. 75. Emilia 1437
  93. 76-77. Romagna and the Marches 1453
  94. 78. Lombardy 1501
  95. VI. Etruscans outside Etruria
  96. 79. Central Italy and Rome 1533
  97. 80. Southern Italy 1551
  98. 81. Northern Italy 1565
  99. VI. Etruscans outside Etruria
  100. 82. South and southeast Central Europe 1585
  101. 83. Transalpine Regions 1607
  102. VI. Etruscans outside Etruria
  103. 84. Corsica 1641
  104. 85. Sicily 1653
  105. 86. Sardinia 1669
  106. 87. Greece. Aegean islands and Levant 1679
  107. 88. North Africa 1695
  108. 89. Southern France 1709
  109. 90. The Iberian Peninsula 1721
  110. Colour plates 1737
  111. Authors 1761
  112. Index 1767
https://doi.org/10.1515/9781934078495-070

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. 1. Introduction 1
  4. Part 1
  5. I. Methods
  6. 2. An ancient question: the origin of the Etruscans 11
  7. 3. The Etruscans in Ancient literature 35
  8. 4. History of Etruscology 53
  9. 5. Etruscan Art or Art of the Etruscans? 69
  10. 6. Iconography and iconology, Nineteenth to Twenty-first centuries 79
  11. 7. Approaches to the study of the language 95
  12. 8. DNA and Etruscan identity 109
  13. II. Issues
  14. 9. Political organization and magistrates 121
  15. 10. Economy and trade 143
  16. 11. War and Weaponry 165
  17. 12. Society 179
  18. 13. Feasts. Wine and Society. eighth-sixth centuries BCE 195
  19. 14. Banqueting and food 207
  20. 15. Sports 221
  21. 16. Dance 233
  22. 17. Alphabets and language 245
  23. II. Issues
  24. 18. Religion 277
  25. 19. Death and burial 317
  26. 20. Haruspicy from the Ancient Near East to Etruria 341
  27. 21. Prophecy and divination 357
  28. II. Issues
  29. 22. Ships and Shipping 371
  30. 23. Harbors 391
  31. 24. Vehicles and roads 407
  32. 25. Mines and Metal Working 425
  33. 26. The mines on the island of Elba 445
  34. 27. Coins and mints 463
  35. 28. Weights and balances 473
  36. 29. Textiles and Dress 485
  37. 30. Musical instruments 505
  38. 31. Etruscan gold dental appliances 523
  39. Part 2
  40. III. History
  41. 32. The Historical Framework 537
  42. 33. The transition from village communities to protourban societies 561
  43. 34. The diffusion of Near Eastern cultures 581
  44. 35. Urban Civilization 617
  45. 36. Hellenism in Central Italy 645
  46. 37. Romanization 665
  47. 38. The Etruscan legacy 685
  48. IV. Civilization
  49. 39. Hut Architecture, 10th cent.-730 BCE 723
  50. 40. Handicrafts, 10th cent.-730 BCE 739
  51. 41. Society, 10th cent.-730 BCE 759
  52. 42. Ritual and cults, 10th cent.-730 BCE 779
  53. 43. Economy, 10th cent.-730 BCE 795
  54. 44. External Relationships, 10th cent.-730 BCE 811
  55. IV. Civilization
  56. 45. Art, 730–580 BCE 831
  57. 46. Handicraft, 730–580 BCE 851
  58. 47. Society, 730–580 BCE 869
  59. 48. Ritual and cults, 730–580 BCE 885
  60. 49. Economy, 730–580 BCE 901
  61. 50. External Relationships, 730–580 BC 921
  62. IV. Civilization
  63. 51. Archaic and Late Archaic Art, 580–450 BCE 943
  64. 52. Handicrafts, 580–450 BCE 971
  65. 53. Society, 580–450 BCE 985
  66. 54. Ritual and Cults, 580–450 BCE 1001
  67. 55. Economy, 580–450 BCE 1013
  68. 56. External relationships, 580–450 BCE 1031
  69. IV. Civilization
  70. 57. Late Classical and Hellenistic art, 450–250 BCE 1049
  71. 58. Handicraft, 450–250 BCE 1079
  72. 59. Society, 450-250 BCE 1101
  73. 60. Ritual and cults, 450–250 BCE 1117
  74. 61. Economy, 450–250 BCE 1129
  75. 62. External Relationships, 450–250 BCE 1141
  76. IV. Civilization
  77. 63. Art, 250–89 BCE 1161
  78. 64. Handicraft, 250–89 BCE 1173
  79. 65. Society, 250–89 BCE 1191
  80. 66. Ritual and Cults, 250–89 BCE 1203
  81. 67. Economy, 250–89 BCE 1215
  82. 68. External Relationships, 250–89 BCE 1223
  83. V. Topography of Etruria
  84. 69. The landscape and environment of Etruria 1239
  85. 70. Southern Etruria 1251
  86. 71. Northern Etruria 1299
  87. 72. Settlement Patterns and Land Use 1339
  88. VI. Etruscans outside Etruria
  89. 73. Southern Campania 1359
  90. 74. Northern Campania 1395
  91. VI. Etruscans outside Etruria
  92. 75. Emilia 1437
  93. 76-77. Romagna and the Marches 1453
  94. 78. Lombardy 1501
  95. VI. Etruscans outside Etruria
  96. 79. Central Italy and Rome 1533
  97. 80. Southern Italy 1551
  98. 81. Northern Italy 1565
  99. VI. Etruscans outside Etruria
  100. 82. South and southeast Central Europe 1585
  101. 83. Transalpine Regions 1607
  102. VI. Etruscans outside Etruria
  103. 84. Corsica 1641
  104. 85. Sicily 1653
  105. 86. Sardinia 1669
  106. 87. Greece. Aegean islands and Levant 1679
  107. 88. North Africa 1695
  108. 89. Southern France 1709
  109. 90. The Iberian Peninsula 1721
  110. Colour plates 1737
  111. Authors 1761
  112. Index 1767
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