The ruling class in the Etruscan city-states was made up of an aristocratic class, which came into being in remote times from rich families, both of Italic and non-Italic origin, who held the most important levers of power and from … Continue Reading →

The most typical form of dwelling of the ruling class was characterized by a large central courtyard which gave access to various rooms. Another typology of dwelling consisted of adjacent rooms that opened on to an entrance hall. Buildings were … Continue Reading →

The banquet so often reproduced in tomb frescoes had a double meaning for the Etruscans. It was a religious ceremony in that the relatives of the deceased took part in a banquet, as part of the funeral ceremonies, and they … Continue Reading →

The Etruscans played percussion, string and wind instruments, in particular the flute in all its various forms, although the double flute was considered the national Etruscan instrument. They greatly appreciated music and it accompanied all their daily activities: working, eating, … Continue Reading →

From the 6th century BC, the dress of the Etruscans is reminiscent of that of the Greeks. In the archaic period, men went bare-chested but later a short tunic came into use, with a coloured mantle thrown over the shoulders. … Continue Reading →

In the Etruscan world, women, unlike their contemporaries in Greek civilization, enjoyed great freedom. The Greek authors disapproved of this fact and spread malicious comments about the moral customs of Etruscan women. Whilst Greek women lived in a position of … Continue Reading →

The total absence of Etruscan written profane texts and the fragmentary nature of the religious texts that have come down to us prevents us from gaining more than a very superficial knowledge of Etruscan culture. The loss of the literature … Continue Reading →