Etruscans

An ancient Italian people who flourished from the VIII – I centuries B.C. in Etruria: between the Arno river, the Tiber and the coast of the Tyrrhenian sea.

The Etruscan civilisation was rooted in “villanovian” culture (X-IX B.C.). It was a culture that stood out amongst other Italian cultures thanks to their ability in the manufacture of objects, in trade, in art and in their strong sense of religion, rich funerary culture, federalism, an early use of an alphabetical writing system and their deep respect for the position of women in their society.

This refined culture, which flowed into Roman civilisation, produced great works of art and left us fascinating ruins of their cities and monumental tombs but it alos left its mark on the landscape: it is thanks to the Etruscans that the olive was introduced to Italy.