The highest civilization in
Italy before the rise of
Rome. Etruria, as it was known to the
Latins, was located northwest of the
Tiber River, now in modern
Tuscany and part of Umbria. While historians have not come to agreement on the origins of these people, the two most popular beliefs are that they had migrated from a great famine in
Lydia in the 12 century BC, or they are an ancient, indigenous Italian race.
Etruscan culture evolved around the 8th century BC, achieved its peak of wealth and power about the 6th century, and then declined during the 5th and 4th cent. Etruria had no centralized government but was loosely comprised of a federation of
city-states. Important centers were
Clusium,
Veii,
Tarquinii and
Perusia.
During the period of 500 B.C., the
Etrurians had a great maritime power and colonized
Corsica,
Elba,
Sardinia and the coast of
Spain.
The
Romans, while having been been greatly influenced by the Etrurians, were distrustful of their power. In the early 4th century,
Gallic invasions from the North weakened the Etrurians, giving
Rome the opportunity to beat them back and conquer their cities. In 88 B.C.
Sulla eradicated the last traces of Etruscan independence.
Etruscans were known for their black
bucchero pottery. Their art was heavily influenced by both the
Greeks and civilizations from the East with whom they had substantial commerce.