39584 - Introduction to Etruscology (1)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student acquires a basic knowledge of the history and civilization of the Etruscans in his main evolutionary lines in the frame of italic pre-roman cultures; Knows the various types of sources useful for their reconstruction, recognizes and critically reviews the archaeological documentation and the main artistic manifestations, possesses the tools of analysis needed to frame artisanal and artistic productions in the correct social, political and economic context of reference. How to use the basic tools necessary for the cataloging, enhancement, dissemination and preservation of historical and cultural heritage; He can communicate in oral and written terms using a specific terminology.

Course contents

The course runs from 15 September 2026 to 14 October 2026.

Lecture 1: Introduction to the course, including its aims, content, assessment methods, and examination requirements. The lecture will also introduce the fundamental concepts of the discipline and establish the chronological framework for the development of Etruscan civilisation.

Lectures 2–3: Etruria in first millennium BC Italy. An overview of Etruscan civilisation within the broader context of the emergence and development of the cultures and peoples of pre-Roman Italy. Particular attention will be paid to the rise of the major proto-urban centres and to the cultural, linguistic, and ethnic landscape of Early Iron Age Italy.

Lectures 4–15: The development of Etruscan civilisation. Etruscan civilisation will be examined diachronically, from its formative stages to the process of Romanisation, in order to provide students with a coherent historical framework that highlights both the distinctive features of each period and the major political, social, and cultural transformations that shaped Etruscan history.

The Villanovan (formative) phase (ninth–eighth centuries BC): the transition from huts to permanent houses and from villages to urban centres; the earliest forms of socio-political organisation, reconstructed through funerary evidence.

The Orientalising phase (late eighth–seventh centuries BC): the emergence of aristocratic elites and the development of princely culture; the construction of monumental architecture, including palaces and tumulus tombs; aristocratic ideology as expressed through material culture and artistic production.

The Archaic phase (sixth century BC): the decline of aristocratic power and the emergence of oligarchic forms of government; large-scale programmes of urban construction and reconstruction; the development of cities and their ports; relations with the eastern Greek world and the flourishing of the major arts.

The Classical phase (fifth–fourth centuries BC): the predominance of inland Etruria and the decline of the coastal centres; political and cultural relations with the Greek world.

The Hellenistic phase (fourth–third centuries BC): the major crisis of the fourth century BC and the reorganisation of aristocratic society; relations with Macedonia and Magna Graecia; the final phase of Etruscan civilisation before its incorporation into the Roman world.

The course concludes with an examination of the interaction between Etruria and Rome, the process of Roman conquest and integration, and the end of Etruscan civilisation.

Readings/Bibliography

All the books are available at the library of the Department of History, Cultures and Civilization - Archaeology section, Piazza S. Giovanni in Monte, 2 Bologna.

Those students attending classes:

G. Bartoloni (a cura di), Introduzione all'Etruscologia, Hoepli, Roma 2012. 

Those students not attending classes, also one of these books:

- Gli Etruschi delle città. Fonti, ricerche e scavi (a cura di S. Bruni), 2010.

- G. Colonna, Urbanistica e architettura, in AA.VV., Rasenna. Storia e civiltà degli Etruschi (a cura di G. Pugliese Carratelli), Milano 1987, pp. 371-530.

- Gli Etruschi (Catalogo della mostra, Venezia 2000), Cinisello Balsamo 2000.

For Erasmus students are also available books in english, french, german, spanish languages. 

Teaching methods

Teaching is delivered through lectures.

Students who wish to complement the course are offered the opportunity to participate in practical laboratory activities organised by the Department, as well as in archaeological fieldwork at the Etruscan sites of Marzabotto and Spina. These activities provide hands-on experience in the study, cataloguing, and archaeological illustration of Etruscan artefacts.

Given the nature of the teaching activities and methods employed, students are required to complete Modules 1 and 2 of the University’s health and safety training in e-learning mode before participating in practical activities (https://www.unibo.it/it/servizi-e-opportunita/salute-e-assistenza/salute-e-sicurezza/sicurezza-e-salute-nei-luoghi-di-studio-e-tirocinio ). Students must also attend Module 3, which provides discipline-specific training in health and safety in study and training environments. Information on the dates and arrangements for Module 3 is available in the relevant section of the degree programme website.

Regular attendance is strongly recommended, as it will facilitate preparation for the final examination. Students are considered to have met the attendance requirement if they attend at least 75% of the scheduled lectures.

Assessment methods

Assessment consists of an oral examination designed to evaluate students' knowledge of the prescribed textbook and of the topics covered during the course. Students will be assessed on their ability to present the knowledge they have acquired using appropriate academic terminology and to situate individual topics within their broader historical and cultural context.

Outstanding marks will be awarded to students who demonstrate a comprehensive and well-integrated understanding of the course content and the prescribed bibliography, show the ability to engage critically with the material, and present their arguments clearly and accurately using appropriate specialist terminology. Good marks will be awarded to students who demonstrate sound knowledge of the subject, together with satisfactory analytical and synthetic skills, although their use of disciplinary terminology may not always be fully precise. Students whose preparation is limited, whose knowledge reveals significant gaps, or whose use of terminology is inadequate will achieve no more than a pass mark. Serious deficiencies in subject knowledge, inappropriate terminology, an inability to contextualise the topics discussed, or inadequate familiarity with the prescribed reading will result in a failing mark.

More specifically, assessment will be based on the following criteria:

• 18–19 (Pass): Knowledge of a very limited number of topics covered in the course; analytical skills demonstrated only with substantial guidance from the examiner; generally correct use of language.
• 20–24: Knowledge of a limited range of course topics; ability to undertake independent analysis only in straightforward contexts; generally accurate use of disciplinary language.
• 25–29: Good knowledge of a broad range of course topics; ability to develop independent critical analysis; confident command of the appropriate specialist terminology.
• 30–30 cum laude: Thorough and comprehensive knowledge of the topics covered in the course; excellent ability to undertake independent critical analysis, establish connections across different themes, and develop well-reasoned arguments; complete mastery of specialist terminology together with a high level of critical reflection.

Students with specific learning disabilities (SpLDs) or temporary or permanent disabilities are encouraged to contact the University's dedicated support service at an early stage (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it ). Where appropriate, reasonable adjustments may be proposed. Any such arrangements must be submitted to the course lecturer for approval at least 15 days before the examination. Approval will be granted where the proposed adjustments are consistent with the intended learning outcomes of the course.

Examination sessions

For the 2026 academic year, one examination session is scheduled in December. For 2027, examination sessions are scheduled in January, March, June, and July.

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in any form, including for the summarisation of texts, is not permitted in relation to assessed work or examinations for this course. Any such use constitutes a breach of academic integrity.

 

Teaching tools

Lectures will be supported by presentation slides featuring an extensive range of visual material. The slides will be made available to students after each class via the University's VIRTUALE online learning platform. 

Office hours

See the website of Elisabetta Govi