The Etruscans were an ancient people living in what are today the Italian regions of Tuscany, western Umbria, and northern Lazio. They had their own language, attested in inscriptions from ca. 700 BC onwards. They were assimilated by the Roman Republic from the fourth century BC onwards.
The aspis
A global shield
A round shield, with a double grip, swept the Mediterranean by storm. But why did this happen?
An elaborate romance?
The Etruscan reputation for piracy
The Etruscans were reputed to be tenacious pirates. Is this reputation deserved? The answer requires a look at the ancient sources.
Aeneas in Vulci
An Etruscan black-figure amphora
One of the most dynamic heroes of the Trojan Cycle is Aeneas, whose depiction can be found throughout Italy before Rome usurped him as a national icon.
The story of Rome’s first rival
A review of a new book on Veii
The early history of Rome is dominated by its rivalry with the Etruscan city of Veii, just up the Tiber. Until now, Anglophone readers had few resources to explore the latter’s story.
A noble bastard and a globalizing world
Few Greek vases have spawned as much discussion as one found in Cerveteri and dating to the seventh century BC.
Crocifisso del tufo
Near Orvieto, in the Italian region of Umbria, there are the remains of an Etruscan necropolis that dates to the sixth century BC. The site is today known as Crocifisso del tufo.
The Etruscan well in Perugia
The centre of Perugia’s upper town features an ancient Etruscan well that dates back to the third century BC and is open to visitors.
Etruscans in Perugia
The archaeological museum of Perugia without a doubt houses the largest collection of Etruscan objects in Umbria.
Achilles' slaying of Troilus
According to prophecy, Troy wouldn’t fall until a number of conditions had been met. One of them was the death of the Trojan prince Troilus.
Painted tombs from Porano
The archaeological museum of Orvieto features wall-paintings from Etruscan tombs found in the nearby village of Porano.