Etruria
Publié le 22/02/2012
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Roman An ancient culture that thrived
in west central Italy from as early as the eighth to the
fourth centuries b.c. Etruria was northwest of Rome.
Archaeologists and historians have concluded that
Etruria was not a kingdom or nation as much as a
people who shared a culture and a language and lived
in what are now the regions of Tuscany and Umbria.
The history and development of the Etruscans,
who joined their cities into a loose confederation or
cooperative, overlaps with that of their neighbors, the
people of the city of Rome. The last three kings of
Rome, the Tarquins, were immigrants from Etruria.
They ruled in the 500s b.c. Some scholars believe the
stories of their reign are as much a part of legend and
mythology as of history.
After expelling the last of these kings in about
509 b.c., the Romans formed their first republic and
elected their first leaders. Eventually, the Romans
conquered the cities of Etruria and absorbed that
culture into their own.
The ancient gods of the Etruscans influenced the
formation and development of the classical Roman
religion. Many Roman gods and goddesses, such as
Saturn and Diana, were first Etruscan deities.
The Estruscans were highly regarded for the ability
of some of their people to see into the future. This gift,
known as divination or divining, involved elaborate
ceremonies and rituals that enhanced their ability to
read in the signs of the Earth the intentions of the
gods. This knowledge helped the Roman leaders make
major decisions. Divination was a key element in helping
the Romans determine when to bring the power of
a Greek god or goddess into their own culture.