Website of the Gods!!!

This is a blog of the gods, Ancient Rome, the Gallic Wars, translations, and other Latiny stuff!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Etruscan Influence on Rome


The Etruscans had a great social, cultural, and political influence on early Rome. This seafaring people brought their language, religion, etc. to northern Italy. Tomb paintings provide insight into the culture of the Etruscans. The skill of the Etruscans at urban planning, engineering, and waterworks all had a deep influence on Rome. Building city walls, engineering the Forum, creating the great drain to the Tiber River, using temple decorations, etc. were all thought to occur becuase of Etruscan influence. Hierarchy and symbols of military authority in Rome were also influenced by the Etruscans. This led to the fasces, a bundle of rods surrounding an axe. The Olympian gods were also in the array of gods of the Etruscans. Since Etruscans cities had disputes, the Etruscans could not unite against a common enemy. This led to fact that the Greek colonies of southern Italy and Sicily defeated the Etruscans in a sea battle. This led to the decline of the Etruscans.
On the map, the Etruscans are in red.

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