1 | P a g e

Chapter 9: Italy before The Romans: The Art of the Etruscans

Etruscans occupied Italy before Romans Influenced by but different from Greek art

Etruscan origins

Between Arno and Tiber rivers (Tuscany) so names because Romans called them Tusci people Language used Greek script. No other indo-European linguistic relations Origins are debated. Likely a mix of natives and immigrants from bronze and Villanovan era

Cities of Etruria

8th/7th centuries: seafarers, they traded abroad 6th century: controlled northern/central Italy from Tarquinia, Cerveteri, Vulci, Veii Cities were unified making them an easy target for the Romans

Early Etruscan Art

Orientalizing Art

Etruscan Wealth

Etruria (land occupied by Etruscans) mined Iron Tin Copper and Silver, pushing them into international commerce

This led to eastern influence locals emulate eastern style thus “Orientalizing”

Gold Jewelry

Mid 7th century: Rich Etruscan family stuffs Regolini-Galassi tomb (Cerveteri) with rich goods Golden fibula (clasp/safety pin) is the most rand of these: used to attach woman’s gown to shoulder Italic tradition with Orientalizing influence (lions walking across) Technique: hammered relief (Repoussé) + fusing tiny metal balls to surface

(Granulation) Other expensive items found display newfound wealth manifested in ostentation

Archaic Art and Architecture

Etruscan Greek RomanTiniaUniMenrvaApuluArtumesHercle

ZeusHeraAthenaApolloArtemisHerakles

JupiterJunoMinervaApolloDianaHercules

2 | P a g e

Etruscan Temples

Etruscans imitated Greek architecture though keeping much of their own style

6th century temples resembled contemporary Greek temples with wooden columns/roof and sun dried brick walls

Entrance through narrow staircase to front of temple on stone podium

Columns only in front…creates large porch over half of podium

Was an ornate home for statues of Etruscan gods, not a work of art like Greek temples

Differences with Greek templeso Columns were Doric without fluting and with baseso Columns more widely spaced due to light structureo Three cellas for three chief godso Pediment statues were rare… narrative statues often went on roof in

terracotta

An Epic Rooftop Contest

Largest surviving rooftop sculpture: Apulu found in a temple in Portonaccio sanctuary in Veii

Displays excitement present throughout Archaic Etruscan art Is 1 of 4 in a scene of Apulu confronting Hercle for the Ceryneian hinds (beats/golden

horns/ sacred to Artumes) Folds on garment+ bright paint resemble Korai of Acropolis but force, swelling

contours, plunging motion, gesticulating arms, fanlike calf muscles, and animated face are Etruscan

Attributed to Vulca of Veii a famous Etruscan artist

Dining in the Afterlife

Terracotta sarcophagus in form of husband and wife reclining on a banquet couch from tomb at Cerveteri necropolis

Cast in 4 parts. Very large though captaining only ashes (cremation common in Italy at the time)

Husband+wife on same banquet couch is unique of Etruria with very animated figures again

Anti Greek in its lack of proportions: Legs summarily modeled… transition to torso is unnatural Focus was on upper bodies faces gesticulating arms

3 | P a g e

Houses for the Dead

Typical tomb at Cerveteri: Mound (tumulus) covering 1+ multichambered underground tombs cut from limestone in the ground. They could be very large

Arranged along streets in a cemetery as a city of the dead (necropolis). Placed far from real cities

Tombs resemble houses like Tomb of the Shields and Chairs at Cerveteri

Chambers and entrance open to large space…beds chairs… ceiling beams, doorways windows cut from rock

Opposite of Greeks with everlasting tombs and temporary temples

Tomb of the Reliefs- most elaborate tomb- accommodated many generations Stucco reliefs on stone Stools mirrors cups pitchers=domestic

Tarquinia’s Painted Tombs

Similar tombs existed at Tarquinia minus the tumulus and carvings Some had chamber wall paintings (wealthy)

Leopards and a Feast

Tomb of the Leopards 5th century: Beasts guard interior from back Though bearing resemblance to pediment of Temple of Artemis at

Corfu, Mythological creatures were exceedingly rare in Tarquinian murals (none in the mural)

Banqueting couples on walls (men-dark women-light) with food+entertainment

Exaggerated gestures/large hands Man hold up egg (symbol-regeneration)…joyful tone/celebration of life

Etruscan Landscapes

Etruscan figures similar to pre foreshortening Greek vase figures Depictions of nature are far beyond those of the Greeks despite

shortcomings in foreshortening Tomb of Hunting and fishing at Tarquinia: Etruscans enjoying nature

o Kid jumping of cliff whole people fisho Birds everywhere being hunted by slingshots

Likely influenced later Greek art

Late Etruscan Art

509:Romans replace last Etruscan king (Tarquinius Superbus) with a republican gov’t

4 | P a g e

474:Cumaean Greeks+ Hieron I defeat Etruscans in the sea Led to decreased tombs+ quality of furnishings plus abundance of jewelry

Classical Art

Rome’s Etruscan Wolf

Capitoline wolf 500 BCE: larger than life bronze hollow cast she wolf who nursed Romulus and Remus

Made for Roman republic after Tarquinius Superbus Vitality of Etruscan art is seen in watchful she-wolf

Arezzo’s Bronze Chimera

Chimera of Arezzo: one century after the wolf: Greek invented lion head snake tail with goat head growing out of lions side

Goat head has would of Greek hero Beller-ophon Chimera is prepared to fight back

Etruscan Art and the Rise of Rome

Rome Overwhelms Etruria

366: Veii falls…Tarquinia and Cerveteri eventually fall Ficoroni Cista: cistae (cylindrical containers for toiletries): Sheet bronze…cast

handles+ feet… elaborate bodies Cista industry based in Palestrina Ficoroni Cista was given to a girl by her mother made by Novios Plautios in

Rome (now important culture/political center) Frieze on Cista is expedition of Argonauts in search of golden fleece… likely

an adaptation of a Greek painting

The Gate of Mars

3rd century: Perugia allies with Rome leaving other Etruscan towns to suffer

Porta Marzia (gates of mars): gates on Perugia…archway held formed by trapezoid stone voussoirs pressed together

Arcuated gates and free arches became large in Etruria and Rome

Hellenic inspired pilasters surround arch…engaged pillars became common in Rome

Sculpture of Jupiter and his sons peek out between pilasters

Torment in the Underworld

Sarcophagus of Lars Pulena 2nd century: Made of stone in Hellenic era Tarquinia

5 | P a g e

Deceased reclining alone not at a banquet…somber reflects position of Etruria at the time (in decline)

Deceased shown in underworld attacked by charuns (Etruscan death demons) on coffin proper

On lid he holds a scroll with events of his life: unsure of what’s next

Etruscan or Roman?

Portrait of Aule Metele (life-size bronze): portrayed confidently addressing assembly, thus Arringatore (orator)

Wears toga and boots of Roman magistrate…aging and close hair cut are roman as well

Produced around time of Roman takeover in 89 BCE (gave all Italians Roman citizenship)