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The Founding of Rome
“Founding of Rome”, describes the legend of Romulus and Remus, and the birth of Rome. About 800 B.C, a Latin princess gave birth to twins with the God, Mars. The king punished the princess by putting the twins, Romulus and Remus, in a basket, and throwing them into the Tiber River. We can infer that the king didn't want any male heirs to take over his thrown. The kids were found by a she-wolf, who reared them until a farmer found the boys and killed the wolf. -
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Roman Beginnings
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The Founding of Rome - Continued
Each of them climbed on a different hill to watch any sign of the Gods. 12 vultures flew over the hill were Romulus was, The Palatine. The brothers started to fight, and Romulus killed Remus. With this we can see that Romulus was more violent, and was stronger than Remus. Romulus then became the king of the city, which then he named Rome. -
The Etruscans
“The Etruscans” illustrates the origins of the Etruscans and their culture. Around the 800 B.C., some people called the Etruscans settled in Etruria. The Etruscans built their cities surrounded by strong walls on the high hilltops on the north of the Latin village on the Palatine. We can infer that the Etruscans were very canny and protective, and did their cities on hilltops to protect themselves from dangerous things. The Etruscans were Italy’s first highly civilized people. -
The Etruscans - Continued
They were known as “The people of the Sea”, because as pirates, they were feared throughout the Mediterranean Sea, but as traders they were respected and admired. Farmers used iron tools and grew barley, millet, wheat, grapes, and other fruits. They raised pigs, goats, sheep, ducks, chickens, and cattle. We can infer that the grapes and goats the Etruscans had been because of the geography of the place; the Rocky Mountains were a very difficult to plant big things. -
The Etruscans - Continued part 2
Etruscans had a very strong army. Soldiers learned a lot about weapons and battle techniques for the Greeks. The Etruscans had shoes that were an advantage use in battle; it gave them better footing in hilly ground. We can see that the Etruscans were very protective people, and they thought a lot on their happiness and way of living. -
The Etruscans - Daily Life
As Italy’s most civilized people, the Etruscans had more time to have fun and go to parties rather than hunting. The Etruscans enjoyed bright colors, riches, and having a good time. They took part of many activities like wrestling, playing chess, playing backgammon, running, boxing, and horse racing. What the Etruscans loved the most was music and dancing. Most of their dancing was connected to their religion, and they loved the sound of flute or stringed lyre. -
The Etruscans - Daily Life Continued
Women, as well as men, were allowed to dance. It was something they had to the freedom to do. The Etruscan women, unlike the Greek, and Latin, participated in public celebrations, and they could own property. The Etruscans had a very strong sense of social order. The upper class consisted of wealthy landowners, nobles, and priests. The middle class included farmers, traders, and city workers. And the lower class consisted of enslaved people. Wealthy families owned most of the land, and ensalved. -
The Etruscans - Religious Beliefs
At first, the Etruscans worshiped their many gods by going outdoors on platforms of stone or earth. Later on, they decided to build temples made of wood, mud-brick, and clay. These temples were decorated with sculptures. The Etruscans believed that the universe was divided into provinces, and a different god ruled a different province. Humans lived at the center of the universe, facing towards south to where the gods of nature and earth were. The gods of death and the underworld ruled the West. -
The Etruscans - Religious Beliefs Continued
To the East was ruled by the gods of the heavens, this is why all their temples are facing the east. To discover what their gods willed, and how to please them, soothsayers predicted the future by reading omens. Soothsayers could also explain the wills of the Gods by studying the direction, and sound of thunder, and lightning, and the flights of birds. Religion was really important for the Etruscans. It affected their building of cities, and daily life. -
The Etruscans - Tombs of Gold
As an Etruscan noble died, a banquet was held. During the banquet, two of the noble’s slaves fought one another to death. The killed slave’s spirit went to the underworld with his master, the deceased noble. The people, who died, were buried in catacombs, which are where most of the information about Etruscan life is known. Inside the tomb, there are paintings of the daily life of the Etruscans. -
The Etruscans - Tombs of Gold
As an Etruscan noble died, a banquet was held. During the banquet, two of the noble’s slaves fought one another to death. The killed slave’s spirit went to the underworld with his master, the deceased noble. The people, who died, were buried in catacombs, which are where most of the information about Etruscan life is known. Inside the tomb, there are paintings of the daily life of the Etruscans. -
The Etruscans - Tombs of Gold Continued
The bodies of the dead rested on beds. Etruscans believed that the afterlife lasted longer, and was more important than life on Earth. For this reason, the tombs were carved out of natural rock, and they were filled with treasures of gold, art, silver, bronze and ivory. These tombs were all located in the Necropolis, which is like a large cemetery filled with these tombs. Because of all the treasure inside the catacombs, these tombs were called, “Tombs of Gold”. -
Etruscans and Romans
“Etruscans and Romans” provides us with information about the Etruscan’s contributions to the Romans, and the Latins. The Etruscans were more civilized and more culturally advanced than the Latins. How to use an arch in building bridges, was one of the contributions the Etruscan gave them. As for the Romans, the Etruscans laid a foundation of Rome’s first sewer system, and drained the swamp at the foot of the Palatine; this later became Rome’s Forum. -
Etruscans and Romans Continued part 2
This tells us that Romans were violent and enjoyed watching people suffering. Another custom they borrowed was the triumph, the parade for a Roman hero returning from battle. We can infer that winning battles and being successful soldiers was very important for the Romans. The Romans also borrowed the symbol of fasces, which was an important symbol for the Roman rule’s power to beat or execute other people. -
Etruscans and Romans Continued Part 3
The Etruscans introduced the Romans to certain beliefs like that soothsayers read omens that told were to city’s boundaries should be placed. There was a stone in every place were two streets met because, and they believed the stone covered a shaft that led to the underworld. Three times a year, the priest lifted the stone to allow souls of the dead to return to earth. Etruscans influenced the Romans in so many ways that affect us still today.
