Etruscan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Etruscan - Essay Example This paper also notes the important contributions of the Etruscans to the enhancement of the Roman culture. The Etruscans have complex burial ceremonies. This may mean that they had strong beliefs that a part of the soul remained with the body or the body is important for the life after death. They also performed cremation and ashes are kept in decorated urns. ("Mysterious Etruscans") As a sign of the Etruscans' strong belief about death, they decorated tombs and urns to make them look like huts or houses. By doing this, they believed that the lives of the dead would be prolonged ("Columbia Encyclopedia"). Aside from this, the Etruscans also used burial ceremonies as a common subject of their paintings and other art works. Experts observed that banquets are the usual theme in Etruscan art. They think that this may have double meaning since the banquet is a basic part of funerals. The Etruscan funeral ceremonies involved the festive banquet which included the relatives of the deceased. At this banquet, the Etruscans believed that the spirit of the one who died would attend. ("Mysterious Etruscans") Unlike most civilizations in the ancient times, gender inequality seemed to not have been very notable in the Etruscan culture (Hooker). ... They also raise all the babies that are born regardless of who the actual father is. ("Mysterious Etruscans") The Etruscans' attitude towards gender roles or the equality of men and women is manifested in their art. For instance, paintings featured lavish receptions wherein both men and women were entertained by musicians and dancers while being waited upon by servants. Other art forms also have both men and women as the main theme like the terra cotta sarcophagus lid figures of a man and woman, husband and wife, enjoying a leisurely moment together. ("Mysterious Etruscans") "Romanisation" of the Etruscans Etruria was attacked by Rome beginning 498 BCE and lasted until 264 BCE when Etruria was completely conquered. Unlike its other conquests, Rome was more considerate for the Etruscans. This may be attributed to the fact that the Roman civilization was substantially influenced by the Etruscan culture as would be discussed in the following section. ("Mysterious Etruscans") With the entry of the Roman conquerors, the Etruscan language and religion were gradually eroded. The long process of "romanisation" wiped the Etruscan culture off the ancient world. ("Mysterious Etruscans") Etruscans' Contribution to the Roman Culture As emphasized, the Etruscans have greatly influenced the Romans. In terms of art, the Etruscan art is mainly comprised of sculpture in clay and metal, fresco tomb painting and fine pottery exhibiting local elements and reflects Etruscan religious beliefs ("MSN Encarta"). This type of art was highly influential on the Roman Art ("Encyclopedia Britannica"). The Etruscans also inspired renowned artists like Alberto Giacometti with their