The evidence for societal changes in Etruria from 900580 BC is archaeologically prominent and it is clear that many aspects of Etruscan life changed significantly over the course of a few generations. For decades, archaeologists and etruscologists emphasized this significant transition in society by comparing the relatively austere and egalitarian cultural materials and structures of the Early Iron Age (900720 BC) Villanovan culture with those of the Etruscan culture from the Orientalising period (720580 BC). As the name ‘Orientalizing’ suggests, much has been made of the seemingly foreign and élite nature of Orientalizing period materials and structures. At face value, the society and cultures of the Early Iron Age appear to be in stark opposition to the lavish grave goods and monumental tombs that underscore the popular perceptions of the Etruscan culture. However, over the last twenty years, scholars have recognised that evidence for societal changes in the Orientalizing period may in fact have their root in the Early Iron Age. As a result, there is some debate over the broader stimuli for societal changes, primarily resulting from how the evidence is compiled and presented. This lecture will highlight whether it is possible to reconcile the old interpretations for societal changes with the new evidence.

Short bibliography and/or website on lecture topic:

Miller, P. 2017. Continuity and Change in Etruscan Domestic Architecture. Oxford: Archaeopress.
Pallottino, M. 1975. The Etruscans. Ed. David Ridgway. Translated by Joseph A. Cremona. Revised and enlarged from the Italian 6th edition. London, Allen Lane.

Purcell, N. 2006. Orientalizing: Five Historical Questions. In C. Riva and N. C. Vella (ed.), Debating orientalization: multidisciplinary approaches to change in the ancient Mediterranean: 21–30. Monographs in Mediterranean archaeology 10. London, Equinox.

Torelli, M. 2000. The Etruscan CityState. In M. H. Hansen (ed.), A comparative study of thirty citystate cultures: an investigation: 189–208. Historiskfilosofiske skrifter 21. Copenhagen, Kongelige Danske Videnskabernes Selskab.

Wikander, Ö. 1990. Archaic Roof Tiles the First Generations. Hesperia: The Journal of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens 59 1: 285–290. doi:10.2307/148143.