The Mysterious Etruscans

Sarcophagus of the Spouses

I love the Etruscans for many reasons, but particularly because of the gender equality in their society.  Women engaged and participated in Etruscan life equally with the men,  Unlike the Greeks and Romans of this period who would not allow the women to even eat with them, the Etruscans reveled in partnership with each other,  This sarcophagus is a strong example of that. It represents the husband and wife of equal proportions attending a banquet, reclining on a kline (dining couch).  Very little is known about the Etruscans as none of their own literature or histories survive.  The buildings were made mostly of wood and, thus, have been lost.  What did remain are the extensive necropolises built to replicate Etruscan rooms and filled with artifacts and replicas of their daily lives.  The National Etruscan Museum has room after room of the excavated artifacts from the necropolises.  Etruscans traded with the Greeks whose beautiful vases can be seen here along side the Etruscan terra cotta and bronze pieces.  

Today's walk took us to the Piazza Popolo again and then through the north portal onto the Via Flaminia, once the ancient road to the Adriatic Sea. Along the way we saw a few minor fountains.  See all this at Flickr. 

Observations from two visitors.
   No matter your age, females can opt for bright red or orange hair.
   Great lunches can be found in the most unexpected places.  

Fountains
   Fontana delle Conche
   2 Nameless