LOC11:18
08:18 GMT
By Mahdi Al-Nimr (with photos)
ROME, Dec 17 (KUNA) -- More than 2,000 years were not enough to unveil the
details of the unique civilization of the Etruscans that began and prospered
for more than seven centuries, until the 1st century B.C., on the western
coast of Italy.
Introducing the the "Etruscans: The Ancient Cities of Lazio" exhibition
held at the Palace of Exhibitions in Rome, Italian Professor of arts' history
Mario Torelli said the history of visual culture of the Etruscans is closely
linked to its philosophies and is marked with ambition and greed, with
constant strive fueled by aspirations of greatness but not without internal
fears.
The artifacts of the Etruscans, which show great creativity, reflect a
culture that was shaped between the primitive period of pre-history and the
end of the Bronze Age and the beginning of the Metal Age on the hills in west
central Italy.
The Etruscans had several cities including Veii, Cerveteri, Vulci and
Tarquinia.
Because they did not interact with other civilization or any old European
language, the origin of the Etruscans is not yet known.
Some believe the Etruscans came from north Europe, some believe they were
originally from the Italian region, while others say they moved from central
Asia.
The third theory was strongly accepted by historians and scientists who had
many proofs that supported their belief.
They said the Etruscans buried their dead and established graveyards,
unlike ancient European civilizations that burned their dead.
Asian influence were present in the Etruscan architecture that shows the
use of building materials imported from Egypt, Syria, Cyprus, Greece, and
Armenia.
Torelli said designs and drawings on the walls of graveyards had Asian
roots and lacked ideological and religious touches that were significant to
the Greek.
The people of the Etruscan civilization made beautiful gold work,
bracelets, earrings, pendants, small statues and talismans using burnt clay.
The last valuable historic discovery related to the Etruscan civilization
was in August 2006, when artifact robbers found at Veio, in northern Italy, a
graveyard with the drawings of animals on its walls, similar to those at the
graveyard of Tut Ankh Amon of Ancient Egypt.
In the 4th century B.C., the Etruscan civilization flourished, witnessed a
great economic growth, and had a trade and military strength due to its
alliance with the Cartagena, getting control of central Italy, the southern
Campania region, and the islands of Sardinia, Corsica, and Sicily.
However, the prosperity declined in less than a century, as the Romans
occupied many regions controlled by the Etruscans, turning their civilization
into scattered areas that were later also invaded by the Romans, putting an
end to the Etruscan civilization, but keeping a mystery that interested
researchers and historians of all times. (end)
mn.ris
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