Pages: 17-32

Numerous factors, such as exploitation of natural resources and favorable geographical position characterize Etruria allready in the Early Iron Age. This eventually led to an increase of population and economic growth of society, urbanisation and formation of social elites. Besides that, this period is the time of orientalizing goods, people and ideas from Eastern Mediterranean. These processes have altered the cultural character of the central Tyrrhenian and had an impact on daily life and customs. In particular, the distribution of wine and material culture associated with the consumption of this drink led to the emergence of new social forms, such as banquets. The appearance of aristocratic Etruscan burials favored not only the development of new art forms such as sculpture and painting, but also the formation of rich grave goods, decorated with gold, silver and exotic objects.

Keywords: Pre-Roman Italy, Iron Age, Etruscans, Elites, Orientalizing Culture, death and burial.

Information about author:

Alessandro Naso (Rome, Italy). Prof. Dr. Institute for the Study on Ancient Mediterranean (ISMA). Via Salaria, km. 29,300, Monterotondo Stazione, Roma, 00015, Italy; Institute of Archaeology, University of Innsbruck. Langer Weg, 11, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]