Rasenna

File: 800px-Etruscan_warrior_near_Viterbe_Italy_circa_500_BCE.jpg (199KB, 800x1239px) Image search: [Google]

199KB, 800x1239px

/his/ we never talk about Etruscans. Let's change that.
>who were Etruscans
A powerful civilization in Italy which existed from 8th to 3rd century BC. They occupied what is now modern Tuscany, along with other surrounding regions, including Rome.
>where did they come from
There are three theories about Etruscan origins. First one is that they settled in Italy from the East, particularly Anatolia. Second is that they came from the north, which would connect them to Rhaetian peoples residing in the Alps. And third one, that they were indigenous to Italy, and evolved from Villanova culture.
>what happened to them
Gaul tribes pushed them hard from the north and angry subjects from down south rebelled and warred against them. This would include Rome as well, which was probably founded as a purely Etruscan town. By the middle of 3rd century BC the Romans erased them from them map. Etruscan language was forgotten already in Roman times, and excluding a few dozen words, today is completely unknown to us. Emperor Claudius was supposed to be the last Roman who spoke and understood Etruscan.
>why are they important
Etruscan civilization influenced Rome in many ways. It is assumed that Latin language contains many Etruscan loanwords. When it comes to art, realist depictions of sculptures and statues were adopted from Etruscans. Romans also inherited symbols of central power from Etruscan political system - purple toga, fasces, and the term imperium itself all come from Etruscans. Before Romans came in touch with Greek culture, Etruscan language was the lingua franca of educated Roman elites.

Discuss.