Etruscan Civilization: A Cultural History [Paperback]

"As a book of inspirational material, it is quite up to the standard we expect from the British Museum Press." --Workshopontheweb.com, September 2005

"'Sybille Haynes' cultural history of the Etruscan Civilization sums up our knowledge about this civilization...Haynes is a leading authority on the subject.' Cosmopolis, no.13, January 2001 "a brilliant, exhaustive and up-to-date synthesis" Ancient West and East, Vol.2 no.2

This comprehensive and fully up-to-date survey of Etruscan civilization traces its development from origins in the Villanovan Iron Age in the ninth century BC to its absorption by Rome in the first century. Combining well-known aspects of the Etruscan civilization with new discoveries and fresh insights, in particular into the role of women in Etruscan society, Sybille Haynes draws a complete and vivid portrait. The author shows how geographical and geological differences in Central Italy determined access to mineral wealth, agricultural land and trade routes, and led to distinct regional variations. She also contrasts the Etruscans with the Greeks, whose art stimulated their own, and with the Romans, who took over many aspects of Etruscan culture and yet caused their eventual decline as they ended Etruscan independence. Richly illustrated with works of art and cultural objects, the text interweaves archaeological evidence, analysis of social structure and trade, and descriptions of pottery, architecture, tomb forms, burial customs and works of art. The result is a compelling and complete picture of a people and a culture.

Dr Sybille Haynes is a leading authority on the Etruscans. Among her numerous publications are Etruscan Bronze Utensils (1965), Etruscan Sculpture (1971), Etruscan Bronzes (1985), and a historical novel, The Auger's Daughter: A Story of Etruscan Life (1987).