The Etruscan people inhabited the triangular area between the Mediterranean Sea and the rivers Arno and Tiber in central Italy. “The Etruscans have long been the magical mystery people of antiquity,” according to the study The Origins of a People: The Etruscans and their Contested Paternity. Throughout my research I realized that there was not a solid answer as to how the Etruscans came to be. Most people say that the Etruscan people stemmed from the Villanovan culture while other sources say that their origin still remains unknown. The Etruscan people formed the most powerful nation in pre-Roman Italy. They are said to be responsible for teaching the Romans things like the alphabet, numerals, how to organize street plans, and architecture. Additionally, they also taught the Romans many elements of art, military and style. The Etruscan people definitely led a life that was different in comparison to the early Romans. Their outstanding abilities and unique culture helped to set them above the rest, thus, causing them to have such a heavy influence on civilizations such as Rome.
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They dominated Italy prior to the rise of Rome and even when Rome came about they were ruled by Etruscan kings early in their history. This caused Rome to continue to follow suit with things like their religious practices. Etruscans made it a huge priority to preserve religious knowledge. They always “sought to divine the will of the gods through various acts…”(Saylor, 2). Additionally, the Etruscans believed in a pantheon of Gods similar to the Greek culture. They believed that these Gods could be communicated with through priests and seers and that these Gods have the ability to exercise their will upon man at any given time. Roman culture took to this belief very strongly especially when it came to things like haruspex
They dominated Italy prior to the rise of Rome and even when Rome came about they were ruled by Etruscan kings early in their history. This caused Rome to continue to follow suit with things like their religious practices. Etruscans made it a huge priority to preserve religious knowledge. They always “sought to divine the will of the gods through various acts…”(Saylor, 2). Additionally, the Etruscans believed in a pantheon of Gods similar to the Greek culture. They believed that these Gods could be communicated with through priests and seers and that these Gods have the ability to exercise their will upon man at any given time. Roman culture took to this belief very strongly especially when it came to things like haruspex