Etruscans and Romans Module 6 done

Significant civilization in Central Italy, expanding north to the Pot River and south to the Tiber River.
Influential on the development of Roman culture.
Etruscan art follows similar artistic style developments as the Greeks, including the orientalizing, archaic, and classic periods.
Thrived in Central Italy during the first millennia BCE, in the area of present-day Tuscany.
Became sea traders, actively participating in Mediterranean trade.
Kept the Greeks off their land, trading with them only on islands off of Italy due to their military power.
Etruscan wealth came from natural resources such as minerals and metals, and they thrived off of pottery.
Romans eventually overthrew the Etruscan rulers.

Etruscan art during the orientalizing period demonstrates influences from Greek art, with intricate designs, patterning, and depictions of animals like lions, lizards, sphinxes, and griffins.
Best known for their metalwork, especially gold jewelry, often found buried with its owners.
Mirrors are frequently found in Etruscan tombs.
Much of the information about Etruscan culture came from Roman history, which was skewed due to the Roman overthrow of the Etruscans.
Recent findings from intact tombs reveal a more nuanced understanding of Etruscan society.
The Etruscans were a luxurious culture with a focus on appearance and presentation, and an appreciation for gold and luxurious goods.
Roman history portrayed Etruscan women negatively, but current findings suggest more of a focus on family life and equal roles for men and women in society.
Tombs depict men and women in similar situations, such as drinking and celebrating together, unlike Greek or Roman culture.

Tomb structures and funeral practices changed over time, including the use of cremation and inhumation.
The shape of cinerary urns and huts began to change, as well as the use of materials.
Tombs, known as tumuli, were built to resemble Etruscan homes and blend into the landscape.
Tombs reflect aspects of life, such as interests or professions, and were seen as a continuation into the afterlife.
Sarcophagi changed over time, with some depicting reclining couples to reinforce the idea of monogamy and family unity.
Terracotta was a primary material used, especially for sarcophagi.

The Tomb Of Shield And Chairs features shields and chairs, possibly reflecting a family profession.
Over time, there was a shift from mural paintings to a focus on stone and permanence.
The use of terracotta allowed for additive sculpture, with more expressive features compared to marble sculpture.
Etruscan terracotta figures are similar to Greek core and koros figures, with a lack of facial expression and stiff presentation.
The figure of Apollo, which would have been on the roof of a temple, wears a toga and displays stylized patterning and understanding of musculature.
The face is sharply carved, with an archaic smile similar to that of Khoros and core figures.

Etruscans temples are different from Greek.
A high podium and deep porch with columns is present, but the structure is very frontal, lacking the wraparound podium of Greek temples.
Sculptures were placed on the roof, not in the tympanum or frieze.

The Chimera was discorvered in about 1553.
The Chimera is a bronze votive offering to the god, to Nia.
Recently, it's been judged as a forgery, due to the lack of comparable Etruscan sculptures and discrepancies in scientific testing.
The Chimera is a mythical beast with the body and head of a lion, a serpent tail, and a goat's head on the side.

Later Etruscan sculptures show the overlap with Roman culture, such as the Orator.
The Orator is a life-sized bronze sculpture of an Etruscan Roman man.
The Etruscans tried to defend themselves against the Romans, but eventually blended into Roman society.
Etruscans of high society continued their status within Roman culture, with their children potentially becoming Roman senators.

Ancient Rome is a significant and heavily documented culture.
The founding of Rome is associated with the myth of Romulus and Remus, who were raised by wolves.
Historical records provide a founding date in April.
Rome was originally a collection of autonomous villages settled on the city's seven hills, with the Palatine Hill marking the original settlement.
Early Roman art was influenced by the art of Greece and the Etruscans, particularly in temple building.

The Roman Republic transitioned to the Roman Empire due to a change in power, from the senate to an emperor.
Roman art shares similarities with Greek art, with attention to detail, musculature, and movement, but without as much drama.
The portrait of Julius Caesar exemplifies the shift from the republic to the empire.
Julius Caesar was a powerful dictator who took power from the senate and gave back to the people.
The senate assassinated Julius Caesar, leading to the shift from the republic to the empire.

Rome understood the power of visuals and documented everything visually, including pictures, wall paintings, sculptures, temples, and palaces.
The portrait of Augustus, Julius Caesar's successor, depicts him as eternally youthful and powerful.
Augustus promotes piety and military accomplishments in his portraits, with connections to the gods and his lineage.

Sculptures of senators were veristic, showing age and wear and tear to convey wisdom and experience.
Emperors, such as Augustus, were depicted as eternally youthful.
Imperial portraits promoted piety and military accomplishments, with connections to divine lineage and past leaders.

The Colosseum is a significant architectural structure built after Emperor Nero's rule.
Emperor Vespian of the Flavian dynasty built the Colosseum to give back to the Roman people after their suffering under Nero.
Construction began around $72$ CE, and it opened nearly a decade later.
The Colosseum measures $620$ feet by $513$ feet and has $80$ entrances.
The Colosseum can hold more than zero spectators.

The Colosseum's opening celebration under Emperor Titus included 100 days of gladiator games.
Emperors traditionally attended the games, with some, like Commodus, even performing in the arena.
The Colosseum was used as a political tool to sway public opinion in favor of the emperor.
The Colosseum is a remarkable architectural feat that has influenced modern stadiums and entertainment venues.

The Pantheon was built under Hadrian, a beloved emperor who sought to beautify Rome.
Hadrian had a strong interest in Greek culture, philosophy, and architecture, as well as Etruscan architecture.
The inscription on the outside, "Pantheon of Agrippa," suggests a possible earlier pantheon.
Hadrian's interest in architecture is evident in the innovative design of the Pantheon.
The Pantheon combines a facade resembling a Greek temple with a large dome.

The oculus, a hole at the top of the dome, is $27$ feet wide.
The diameter of the dome is $142$ feet.
The Pantheon is the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome.
The word "pantheon" means to honor all gods, and the temple was built for this purpose.