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The Etruscan civilization was an early civilization (900 BCE-100 BCE) that inhabited Italy from Tuscany to Rome. It is little known and was largely forgotten, until archaeological discoveries once revealed its power, complexity , and sophistication. The Etruscans had a unique civilization and culture.

However, they made a decisive contribution to the history of Europe, because they shaped in many ways the early development of Rome. Many of the most distinctive features of Roman society were in fact influenced by , or directly borrowed from the Etruscans. The Etruscans were a formative influence on Rome and this can be seen in its religion, culture, urban planning , and engineering and they also helped to establish it as a great city and one of the greatest powers in Italy. In order to understand Rome , it is necessary to understand the influence of the Etruscans on the Early Roman Republic.

===Background=Who were the Etruscans? ==

The Etruscans resided in ancient Italy in modern Tuscany and northern Lazio. They flourished in this area from 1000 BCE to 100 BCE.<ref> Torelli, Mario, <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0847823911/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0847823911&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=f036aff47bdc1f54abe5074e5b2c979f The Etruscans]</i>. (Rome Rizzoli International Publications, 1997), p. 5</ref> They had a unique language and culture. Etruscan society appears to have been one where a warrior aristocracy ruled a large rural population. This changed over time as the Etruscans became more sophisticated and rich and oligarchies dominated Etruria. The wealth of the Etruscan people was based on their rich natural resources. Etruria was rich in copper and gold and the landscape was dotted by with mines.

The Etruscans also had a good degree of technical know-how and they were renowned for their metal working metalworking and their pottery skills. They were also expert sculptors and artists. The Etruscans as they were also known were expert seafarers and sailed throughout the western Mediterranean. From the 7th century BCE , they came into contact with Greek and Punic Civilizations and many Greeks even settled in Etruria.<ref> Franklin-Hall, John. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0842523340/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0842523340&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=f7d404eca2115dcbefce10369da8ce08 Etruscan Italy: Etruscan Influences on the Civilizations of Italy].</i> (Indiana University Press, 1997), p. 15</ref>

== Why did the Etruscans fight the Greeks? ==The Etruscans regularly fought the Greeks for control of the sea lanes. The Etruscans were never a coherent political unit but rather existed as independent city -states. The Etruscans were united by a common culture and religion. Despite this the various Etruscan city-states were distinctive.<ref>Franklin-Hall, p. 114</ref> The coastal cities were generally much more cosmopolitan than those located in the interior. By the 7th century BCE, various Etruscan city -states united in a loose political and military league. The Etruscans were formidable soldiers and copied the Hoplite tactics and weaponry of the Greeks. This allowed them to dominate a large area of Italy from the Po Valley to the area around Naples. Only the Greek city-states in ''Magna Graecia'' (southern Italy) defied their armies in Italy. The Etruscans could conquer the city of Rome and their dominance was so complete that a dynasty of Etruscan kings the Tarquinii, ruled the city for much of the 6th century BCE. During this period the city of Rome grew rapidly and it is possible that many Etruscans came to live in the city. The Romans were culturally and ethnically different from the Etruscans.<ref> Franklin-Hall, p. 114</ref>

The early inhabitants of Rome Etruscans were Latins formidable soldiers and copied the Hoplite tactics and spoke an early form weaponry of the Greeks. This allowed them to dominate a large area of Italy from the Po Valley to the Latin languagearea around Naples. Only the Greek city-states in ''Magna Graecia'' (southern Italy) defied their armies in Italy. During The Etruscans could conquer the reign city of Rome and their dominance was so complete that a dynasty of Etruscan kings the Tarquinii kings, Rome was part of ruled the Etruscan world and very city for much influenced by its civilization. From of the 5th 6th century BCE the Etruscans went into political and economic decline. Celtic tribes from During this period the north invaded Etruria and sacked several cities. The Greek at the sea-battle city of Cumae defeated the Etruscan fleets Rome grew rapidly and it is possible that many Etruscans came to dominate live in the sea lanes and this led to economic decline in many Etruscan statescity. The Etruscan League of City States was severely weakened Romans were culturally and this allowed ethnically different from the Roman to first expel the Etruscan dynasty and uniting the Latin peoples of central ItalyEtruscans.<ref> Franklin-Hall, p. 114</ref>

The Etruscans early inhabitants of Rome were constantly harried by Celtic raids Latins and attacks from spoke an early form of the north and from Latin language. During the south they were under pressure from Rome. For about 150 years Rome and reign of the Etruscans fought intermittent wars.<ref> Franklin-HallTarquinii kings, p. 114</ref> Rome developed a sophisticated military and increasingly was able to defeat part of the Etruscans in battleEtruscan world and very much influenced by its civilization. In 406 From the 5th century BCE the Romans took Etruscans went into political and economic decline. Celtic tribes from the key Etruscan city of Veii after a lengthy siege allowed Rome to expand into north invaded Etruriaand sacked several cities. There were many years The Greeks at the sea-battle of peace between Cumae defeated the Romans Etruscan fleets and came to dominate the Etruscans sea lanes and they even occasionally allied with each other against the Celtsthis led to economic decline in many Etruscan states. In 295 BCE The Etruscan League of City-States was severely weakened and this allowed the Roman legions defeated a coalition of to first expel the Etruscan states at dynasty and uniting the Battle Latin peoples of Sentium. The Romans pressed home their advantage and in one year alone, (280 BCE) they captured three large Etruscan city-statescentral Italy.

In 273 BCE, == Why were the city of Cerveteri fell Etruscans raided by Rome and this was the last independent Etruscan city-state. Celtic raiders? ==The Romans established military colonies in Etruria and this began a process of Romanization and gradually Etruscan culture began to disappear. Many Etruscan cities Etruscans were destroyed constantly harried by Sulla Celtic raids and his army during his war with Marius in attacks from the north and by 50 BCE from the Etruscans had virtually disappeared south they were under pressure from history Rome. For about 150 years Rome and it seems that they had become thoroughly Romanizedthe Etruscans fought intermittent wars.<ref> Franklin-Hall, p. 117114</ref>Rome developed a sophisticated military and increasingly was able to defeat the Etruscans in battle. In 406 BCE, the Romans took the key Etruscan city of Veii after a lengthy siege allowed Rome to expand into Etruria. There were many years of peace between the Romans and the Etruscans and they even occasionally allied with each other against the Celts. In 295 BCE the Roman legions defeated a coalition of Etruscan states at the Battle of Sentium. The Romans pressed home their advantage and in one year alone, (280 BCE) they captured three large Etruscan city-states.

In 273 BCE, the city of Cerveteri fell and this was the last independent Etruscan city-state. The Romans established military colonies in Etruria and this began a process of Romanization and gradually Etruscan culture began to disappear. Many Etruscan cities were destroyed by Sulla and his army during his war with Marius the and by 50 BCE the Etruscans had virtually disappeared from history and it seems that they had become thoroughly Romanized.<ref> Franklin-Hall, p. 117</ref> ===What role did the Etruscans and play in the growth of Rome=? ==

Sometime around 650 BCE , the Etruscans seized control of Rome, then little more than a poor settlement of shepherds and small farmers. The site of Rome made it very attractive to the Etruscans as it was situated on a series of hills that were very easy to defend and it was located near an important ford in the Tiber. There was also some salt works nearby and this was an important economic asset in the ancient world. The Etruscans apparently seized complete control of the city, however , it is impossible to be sure what is a myth and what is history in this era. The Etruscans kings who ruled the city, were the Tarquinii.

=== What did the Etruscan Kings and the development of do to develop Rome=? ==The Etruscan kings were great builders and they transformed Rome from a rude settlement of huts and simple dwellings into a true city. The monarch probably introduced Etruscans builders and architects into the city. The Etruscans were great engineers and they were outstanding builders. Apparently, the Romans learned much from the Etruscans and the famed Roman expertise in urban planning and engineering originated with their northern neighbors during the monarchy of the Tarquinii.<ref> Franklin-Hall, p. 194</ref>  The Roman architectural style in the Roman Republic was heavily influenced by the Etruscans. The Tarquinii monarchs build a series of sewers in Rome and this made the city more hygienic and allowed the city to grow and prosper. The kings also drained many of the marshes that surrounded the city over several years and this allowed more land to be cultivated to feed the growing population of Rome.

===How did Etruscan religion influence on Roman Religion=? ==Little is known about the nature of Etruscan religion but many writers have declared it to be ‘gloomy’. It seems that the exact influence of Etruscan religion and myths on Rome will never be known. It seems that the Romans did adopt some Etruscan deities and demons. These demons were eventually transmitted to the Christians.<ref> Bonfante, Larissa. "An Etruscan Demon in Pompeii." In <i>KOINE: Mediterranean Studies in Honor of R. Ross Holloway</i>, edited by Counts Derek B. and Tuck Anthony S., 96-99. (Oxford; Oakville: Oxbow Books, 2009), p. 97</ref>  The Etuscans Etruscans were renowned for their oracles and prophecies. One of the Tarquin kings purchased the Syballine books, that which became the prophetic literature of Rome from an Etruscan temple. Oracles played a very important part in of the religion of Rome.<ref>"Gods in Harmony: The Etruscan Pantheon." <i>In The Religion of the Etruscans</i>, edited by Simon Erika, De Grummond Nancy Thomson, and Simon Erika, (University of Texas Press, 2006), p. 45</ref>  Many of these oracles were of Etruscan origin and these were known as the Haruspices. This was the art of interpreting the will of the Gods. Soothsayers from Etruria were very much in demand and seemed to have passed on their skills to the local Roman priests. The Etruscan soothsayers could allegedly understand the will of the Gods by observing phenomenon such as lightning. Another Etruscan method for understanding the wishes of the Gods was the examination of the internal organs of sacrificed animals. One of the more curious Etruscan traditions was the observation of the way some sacred chickens ate their food to understand the divine will. Even after the Etruscan kings were expelled the Romans still respected the oracles of the Etruscans. The Roman Senate ordained that the Etruscan oracles and ceremonies be maintained in perpetuity by the state and they were practiced by Roman priests until the Christian era.<ref> Franklin-Hall, p. 119</ref> == What role did the Etruscans do to make Gladiators popular? ==The Etruscan religion, had one unexpected influence on Rome and that was the development of the custom of gladiator contests. It appears that it was a custom among many Etruscan city-states that they forced men to fight to the death at the funeral of a noble or a king. The men usually fought to the death and the blood of the slain fighter was a sacrifice to the deities of the underworld. The Romans seemed to have adopted this custom sometime during the period of the Tarquin kings.

Many of these oracles were of Etruscan origin and these were known as the Haruspices. This was the art of interpreting the will of the Gods. Soothsayers form Etruria were very much in demand and seemed to have passed on their skills to the local Roman priests. The Etruscan soothsayers could allegedly understand Romans largely secularized the will custom of the Gods by observing phenomenon men fighting although it retained some religious symbolism such as lightning. Another Etruscan method for understanding the wishes presence of an attendant dressed as the Gods was the examination of the internal organs of sacrificed animalsdivinity Hermes. One of the more curious Etruscan traditions was the observing of the way some sacred chickens ate their food to understand the divine will<ref> Bennett, Joseph. Even after the Etruscan kings were expelled the Romans still respected the oracles of the Etruscans"The Gladiators. " <i>The Roman Senate ordained that the Etruscan oracles and ceremonies be maintained in perpetuity by the state and they were practiced by Roman priests until the Christian era.Hudson Review<ref/i> Franklin-Hall12, pno. 1192 (1959): 167-74</ref> The Romans over the course of the centuries took what was essentially an Etruscan religious ceremony and turned it into a gory public sporting event.

===Etruscans and Gladiators=Conclusion ==The Etruscan religion, had one unexpected influence on Rome and that was Etruscans were in many ways the development predecessors of the custom of gladiator contestsRomans. It appears that it was a custom among many Etruscan They influenced the young city-states that they forced men to fight to the death at the funeral of a noble or a kingstate in many ways. The men usually fought to Etruscans' culture exposed the death and the blood of the slain fighter was a sacrifice Romans to the deities ideas of the underworldGreeks and new religious practices. The Etruscans taught the Romans seemed to have adopted this custom sometime during both engineering and building skills. They also decisively influenced the period of the Tarquin kingsclassical Roman architectural style. The Romans largely secularized They also developed the custom economy of men fighting although it retained some religious symbolism such as the presence of an attendant dressed as the divinity Hermes.<ref> Bennett, Joseph. "The Gladiators." <i>The Hudson Review</i> 12city, no. 2 (1959): 167-74</ref> The Romans over for instance by draining the course of the centuries took what was essentially an Etruscan religious ceremony and turned it into a gory public sporting eventmarshes adjacent to Rome.

===Conclusion===The Etruscans were in many ways the predecessors of the Romans. They influenced the young city-state in many ways. The Etruscans' culture exposed the Romans to the ideas of the Greeks and new religious practices. The Etruscans taught the Romans both engineering and building skills. They also decisively influenced the classical Roman architectural style. They also developed the economy of the city, for instance by draining the marshes adjacent to Rome. The era of the Etruscan monarchs is often portrayed as a period of tyranny yet these kings expanded the city and its territory and made it the leading power in central Italy. It is arguable that the Etruscans paved the way for the Romans to become a power in Italy and in the Mediterranean.