Etruscan Art and Its Influence on Roman Society

Villanovan Society

Early society in Italy, c. 900-720 BCE.

Etruscan Art

Artistic contributions influencing Roman society.

Etruria

Region in central Italy, heartland of Etruscans.

Temple of Mnerva

Etruscan temple, c. 510 BCE, Veii, Italy.

Post-and-lintel

Architectural system using vertical and horizontal elements.

Akroteria

Decorative sculptures placed on temple roofs.

Votive

Offerings made to deities in gratitude.

Cella

Inner chamber of a temple housing the deity.

Sarcophagus

Stone coffin, often elaborately decorated.

Terra-cotta

Baked clay used for sculptures and pottery.

Capitoline Wolf

Bronze sculpture symbolizing Rome's foundation myth.

Lost-wax casting

Metal casting process using a wax model.

Chimera of Arezzo

Bronze sculpture depicting a mythical creature.

Mirror with Engraving of Kalkas

Bronze mirror depicting a haruspex examining a liver.

L'Arringatore

Bronze statue of an orator, early 1st century BCE.

Verism

Artistic style emphasizing realism in portraiture.

Contrapposto

Artistic technique depicting a relaxed stance.

Barrel vault

Architectural feature formed by extending an arch.

Groin vault

Vault created by intersecting two barrel vaults.

Doric

Simple, sturdy column style in Greek architecture.

Facade

Front exterior of a building.

Pronaos

The entrance area before the cella in temples.

Buttresses

Support structures reinforcing walls or arches.

Bothros

Sacred pit for offerings in Etruscan temples.

Stepped facade

Architectural design with tiered levels.

Altar

Structure for sacrifices and offerings to deities.

Herakles

Greek hero known for his twelve labors.

Chiton

Ancient Greek garment worn by men and women.