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[[File: 600px-0 Mars de Todi - Museo Gregoriano Etruscano (1).jpg |200px|thumbthumbnail|left|A statue of an Etruscan nobleman or deity]] The Etruscan civilization was one of earliest known civilizations in mainland Europe. It is little known and was largely forgotten, until archaeological discoveries once more revealed its power, complexity and sophistication. The Etruscans had a unique civilization and in many ways, they are a mysterious race and culture.

However, they made a decisive contribution The Etruscan civilization was an early civilization (900 BCE-100 BCE) that inhabited Italy from Tuscany 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 It is little known and was largely forgotten until archaeological discoveries once revealed its power, complexity, or directly borrowed from the Etruscansand sophistication. The Etruscans were had a formative influence on Rome unique civilization 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===[[File: Arte etruscaHowever, pannelli d'argento con rilievithey made a decisive contribution to the history of Europe, da castel san mariano presso perugia, 540-520 ac. 02.jpg |250px|thumb|left|Etruscan horseman]]The Etruscans resided because they shaped in ancient Italy in modern Tuscany and northern Laziomany ways the early development of Rome. They flourished Many of the most distinctive features of Roman society were in this area fact influenced by, or directly borrowed from 1000 BCE to 100 BCEthe Etruscans.<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>. (were a formative influence on Rome Rizzoli International Publicationsand this can be seen in its religion, 1997)culture, p. 5</ref> They had urban planning, and engineering and they also helped to establish it as a unique language great city and cultureone of the greatest powers in Italy. Etruscan society appears In order to understand Rome, it is necessary to have been one where a warrior aristocracy ruled a large rural population. This changed over time as understand the Etruscans became more sophisticated and rich and oligarchies dominated Etruria. The wealth influence of the Etruscan people was based Etruscans on their rich natural resources. Etruria was rich in copper and gold and the landscape was dotted by minesEarly Roman Republic.

The Etruscans also had a good degree of technical know-how and they == Who were renowned for their metal working and their pottery skills. They were also expert sculptors and artists. The 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[[File: Etruscan Influences on the Civilizations of Italy].</i> (Indiana University PressArte etrusca, pannelli d'argento con rilievi, 1997)da castel san mariano presso perugia, p540-520 ac. 15</ref> 02.jpg |250px|thumbnail|left|Etruscan horseman]]

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 resided in ancient Italy in modern Tuscany and religionnorthern Lazio. Despite They flourished in this the various Etruscan city-states were distinctivearea from 1000 BCE to 100 BCE.<ref>FranklinTorelli, 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-Hall20&linkId=f036aff47bdc1f54abe5074e5b2c979f The Etruscans]</i>. (Rome Rizzoli International Publications, 1997), p. 1145</ref> The coastal cities were generally much more cosmopolitan than those located in the interiorThey had a unique language and culture. By the 7th century BCE, various Etruscan city states united in society appears to have been one where a warrior aristocracy ruled a loose political and military leaguelarge rural population. The This changed over time as the Etruscans were formidable soldiers became more sophisticated and copied the Hoplite tactics rich and weaponry of the Greeksoligarchies dominated Etruria. This allowed them to dominate a large area The wealth of Italy from the Po Valley to the area around Naples. Only the Greek city-states in ''Magna Graecia'' (southern Italy) defied Etruscan people was based on their armies in Italyrich natural resources. The Etruscans could conquer the city of Rome and their dominance Etruria 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 rich in copper and it is possible that many Etruscans came to live in the city. The Romans were culturally gold and ethnically different from the Etruscanslandscape was dotted with mines.<ref> Franklin-Hall, p. 114</ref>

The early inhabitants Etruscans also had a good degree of Rome technical know-how and they were renowned for their metalworking and their pottery skills. They were Latins also expert sculptors and spoke an early form of the Latin languageartists. During the reign of the Tarquinii kings, Rome was part of The Etruscans as they were also known were expert seafarers and sailed throughout the Etruscan world and very much influenced by its civilizationwestern Mediterranean. From the 5th 7th century BCE the Etruscans went , they came into political contact with Greek and Punic Civilizations and economic decline. Celtic tribes from the north invaded many Greeks even settled in Etruria and sacked several cities. The Greek at the sea<ref> Franklin-battle of Cumae defeated the Etruscan fleets and came to dominate the sea lanes and this led to economic decline in many Etruscan statesHall, John. <i>[https://www.amazon. The com/gp/product/0842523340/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0842523340&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=f7d404eca2115dcbefce10369da8ce08 Etruscan League of City States was severely weakened and this allowed the Roman to first expel the Italy: Etruscan dynasty and uniting Influences on the Latin peoples Civilizations of central Italy]. </i> (Indiana University Press, 1997), p. 15</ref>

== Why did the Etruscans fight the Greeks? ==The Etruscans were constantly harried by Celtic raids and attacks from regularly fought the north and from Greeks for control of the south they sea lanes. The Etruscans were under pressure from Romenever a coherent political unit but rather existed as independent city-states. For about 150 years Rome The Etruscans were united by a common culture and religion. Despite this the Etruscans fought intermittent warsvarious Etruscan city-states were distinctive.<ref> Franklin-Hall, p. 114</ref> Rome developed a sophisticated military and increasingly was able to defeat the Etruscans The coastal cities were generally much more cosmopolitan than those located in battle. In 406 BCE the Romans took the key Etruscan city of Veii after a lengthy siege allowed Rome to expand into Etruriainterior. There were many years of peace between the Romans and the Etruscans and they even occasionally allied with each other against By the Celts. In 295 7th century 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 various Etruscan city-statesunited in a loose political and military league.

In 273 BCE, The Etruscans were formidable soldiers and copied the Hoplite tactics and weaponry of the city Greeks. This allowed them to dominate a large area of Cerveteri fell and this was Italy from the Po Valley to the area around Naples. Only the last independent Etruscan Greek city-statestates in ''Magna Graecia'' (southern Italy) defied their armies in Italy. The Romans established military colonies in Etruria Etruscans could conquer the city of Rome and this began their dominance was so complete that a process dynasty of Romanization and gradually Etruscan culture began to disappearkings the Tarquinii, ruled the city for much of the 6th century BCE. Many Etruscan cities were destroyed by Sulla During this period the city of Rome grew rapidly and his army during his war with Marius it is possible that many Etruscans came to live in the city. The Romans were culturally and by 50 BCE ethnically different from the Etruscans had virtually disappeared from history and it seems that they had become thoroughly Romanized.<ref> Franklin-Hall, p. 117114</ref>

The early inhabitants of Rome were Latins and spoke an early form of the Latin language. During the reign of the Tarquinii kings, Rome was part of the Etruscan world and very much influenced by its civilization. From the 5th century BCE the Etruscans went into political and economic decline. Celtic tribes from the north invaded Etruria and sacked several cities. The Greeks at the sea-battle of Cumae defeated the Etruscan fleets and came to dominate the sea lanes and this led to economic decline in many Etruscan states. The Etruscan League of City-States was severely weakened and this allowed the Roman to first expel the Etruscan dynasty and uniting the Latin peoples of central Italy.  ==Why were the Etruscans raided by Rome and the Celtic raiders? ==The Etruscans were constantly harried by Celtic raids and attacks from the north and from the south they were under pressure from Rome. For about 150 years Rome and the Etruscans fought intermittent wars.<ref> Franklin-Hall, p. 114</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 play in the growth of Rome=? ==[[File: Charun dead souls Cdm Paris 2783.jpg |200px|thumbthumbnail|left|A scene from Etruscan mythology]] 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.

<dh-ad/> === 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.

===The What was the relationship between the Etruscans and the Greeks=? ==The Etruscans had long had contacts with the Greeks and their alphabet was based on their alphabet. The city-states of Etruria had long been under the cultural influence of the Greeks.<ref>Ullman, B. L. "The Etruscan Origin of the Roman Alphabet and the Names of the Letters." <i>Classical Philology</i> 22, no. 4 (1927): 372-77</ref> The Tarquin kings the Etruscans exposed the Romans to Greek culture. Many Roman nobles would send their sons to schools in Etruscan cities and here they learned Greek and read its literature and philosophy<ref>Livy. 5. 14</ref>  Greek thought and literature enriched Roman culture. The Romans adopted the Greek alphabet and used it for their own language, Latin. Much of Roman literature was based on Greek forms and genres and Roman political thought and philosophy originated in Greek ideas. By the second century BCE many the male elite could speak Greek and many were educated in Athens.<ref> FranaklinFranklin-Hall, p. 115</ref> == How did Etruscan religion influence 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 Etruscans were renowned for their oracles and prophecies. One of the Tarquin kings purchased the Syballine books, which became the prophetic literature of Rome from an Etruscan temple. Oracles played a very important part 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 influence on Roman Religion===Little is origin and these were known about as the nature of Etruscan religion but many writers have declared it to be ‘gloomy’Haruspices. It seems that This was the exact influence art of Etruscan religion and myths on Rome interpreting the will never be known. It seems that of the Romans did adopt some Etruscan deities and demonsGods. These demons Soothsayers from Etruria were eventually transmitted very much in demand and seemed to have passed on their skills to the Christianslocal Roman priests.<ref> Bonfante, Larissa. "An The Etruscan Demon in Pompeii." In <i>KOINE: Mediterranean Studies in Honor soothsayers could allegedly understand the will of R. Ross Holloway</i>, edited the Gods by Counts Derek Bobserving phenomenon such as lightning. and Tuck Anthony S., 96-99. (Oxford; Oakville: Oxbow Books, 2009), p. 97</ref> The Etuscans were renowned Another Etruscan method for their oracles and propheciesunderstanding the wishes of the Gods was the examination of the internal organs of sacrificed animals. One of the Tarquin 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 purchased were expelled the Romans still respected the Syballine books, oracles of the Etruscans. The Roman Senate ordained that became the prophetic literature of Rome from an Etruscan temple. Oracles played a very important part oracles and ceremonies be maintained in perpetuity by the state and they were practiced by Roman priests until the religion of RomeChristian era.<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)Franklin-Hall, p. 45119</ref>

Many of these oracles were of == What role did the Etruscans do to make Gladiators popular? ==The Etruscan origin religion, had one unexpected influence on Rome and these were known as the Haruspices. This that was the art development of interpreting the will custom of the Godsgladiator contests. Soothsayers form Etruria were very much in demand and seemed It appears that it was a custom among many Etruscan city-states that they forced men to have passed on their skills fight to the local Roman priests. The Etruscan soothsayers could allegedly understand death at the will funeral of the Gods by observing phenomenon such as lightninga noble or a king. Another Etruscan method for understanding The men usually fought to the wishes of the Gods was death and the examination blood of the internal organs of sacrificed animals. One of the more curious Etruscan traditions slain fighter was a sacrifice to the observing deities of the way some sacred chickens ate their food to understand the divine willunderworld. Even after the Etruscan kings were expelled the The Romans still respected seemed to have adopted this custom sometime during the oracles period of the EtruscansTarquin kings. 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>

===Etruscans and Gladiators===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. The Romans largely secularized the custom 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> 12, no. 2 (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.

===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.

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