The Etruscans
By : Daniel Newgarden , NJCL President
April 23
Though often overshadowed by their more illustrious and well-known neighbors , the Romans , the Etruscans still have a place in the pantheon of ancient cultures . Our understanding of the Etruscan language is limited ( though not , as is sometimes thought , nonexistent ) and there are no extant literary works from the Etruscans , meaning that our understanding of their world comes primarily from the material culture that they created . The Etruscans had a rich sculptural tradition , manifesting itself in sarcophagi and temple statues , with heavy influence from archaic Greek sculpture . In a similar way , the fine art of Etruscan vase painting mimicked Greek vase art . This is no surprise given that Etruria was one of the largest export markets for Greek pottery and culture , particularly during what is known as the “ Orientalizing phase ” ( this phrase comes from the Greeks entering a similar phase when they incorporated art from the advanced societies of Mesopotamia and Egypt ). Additionally , we have some fabulous tomb murals from the Etruscans , with vibrant scenes of celebratory funerary feasts and games .
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