67044 - Introduction to Etruscology

Learning outcomes

The course offers a topographic, economic and cultural framework of the Etruscans and the study in depth of some issues about this ancient civilization. 

At the end of the course, the students will know the different aspects and features of the Etruscans civilization and of the other civilizations living in Italy before the Roman occupation. 

The students will be able to interpret the Etruscan archaeological data correctly. They will be able to read Etruscan inscriptions and to understand the ancient literature dealing with the Etruscan people. 

Visiting the main Etruscan Museums of Emilia Romagna will be a supplementary tool do study in depth the Etruria padana territory. 

Course contents

• The history of the Etruscan studies:

- the discovery of the Etruscans between archaeology and political interests. 

• History and culture of the Etruscans:

- ancient Italy between Bronze Age and Iron Age;

- Transition from the protovillanovian to the villanovian period; transformations of the population, origin of the big proto-urban centres and “formation” of the Etruscan ethnos.

- Italy in the First Iron Age: cultures, languages and peoples of the pre-roman Italy.

- Etruscans and their relationships with the other italic peoples: commercial exchanges and cultural connections.  

• Cultural and chronological periods:

- The Villanovian period: material culture and geographical differentiations; from the hut to the house and from the village to the town; early forms of social and political organization.  

- The Orientalising period: rise and consolidation of the aristocracies; the culture of the princes; palaces and big funerary architecture; different expressions of the aristocratic ideology.  

- The Archaic period: end of the aristocracies and coming of the demos; big works of urban monumentalising; cities and their harbours; relations with the oriental Greek Culture.  

- The Classic period: leadership of the inner Etruria and crisis of the coastal Etruria; the artistic problem and the relationships with Greece.  

- The Hellenistic period: the big “crisis” of the Fourth Century and the “coming-back” aristocracies; relations with Macedonia and Magna Graecia and last great season of the Etruscan culture. Impact with Rome and ending of the Etruscans.

Attendance to the class is highly recommended.

Readings/Bibliography

1) G. Bartoloni (a cura di), Introduzione all'Etruscologia, Milano 2012;

2) AA.VV., Gli Etruschi. Una nuova immagine (a cura di M.Cristofani), Firenze 1972 (o ristampe successive).

 

At least one of the following texts is a required reading for students that are unable to attend the course: 

M. Pallottino, Etruscologia, Roma 1985.

AA.VV., Rasenna. Storia e civiltà degli Etruschi (a cura di G.Pugliese Carratelli), Milano 1987; 

AA.VV., Gli Etruschi (Catalogo della mostra, Venezia 2000), Cinisello Balsamo 2000; 

G. Camporeale, Gli Etruschi. Storia e civiltà, Torino 2000 (I Edizione) o 2004 (Nuova Edizione).

Teaching methods

Lectures, beginning from 10:15. Attending the lessons in highly recommended.

Students will have the chance to practice in laboratory (see the didactic proposals of the Department of Archaeology) or to partecipate in the annual archaeological excavations in the Etruscan city of Marzabotto.

Assessment methods

The exam consists in an oral test concerning history, evolution of Etruscan culture and artistic productions. Familiarity and deep knowledge of indicated bibliography and of topics covered during lectures are required. Three general questions are the starting point of a more detailed discussion. 

The overall evaluation will consider the following parameters:

- an excellent knowledge of the topics, the ability to analyse themes, to refer them by using the field-specific terminology and to discuss specific issues critically, arguing their own opinion, will be rewarded with an excellent mark.

- a mnemonic knowledge of the subject with the ability to analyse, with correct, although not always field-specific command of the language will be rewarded with a 'fair' mark.

- minimal knowledge of the subject will not be enough to pass the exam.

Teaching tools

During the lessons visual aids will be widely used, especially slides and projections from computer.

Office hours

See the website of Chiara Pizzirani