The Etruscans: A Very Short Introduction

From around 900 to 400 BC, the Etruscans were the most innovative, powerful, wealthy, and creative people in Italy. Their archaeological record is both substantial and fascinating, including tomb paintings, sculpture, jewellery, and art. In this Very Short Introduction, Christopher Smith explores Etruscan history, culture, language, and customs. Examining the controversial debates about their origins, he explores how they once lived, placing this within the
geographical, economic, and political context of the time. Smith concludes by demonstrating how the Etruscans have been studied and perceived throughout the ages, and the impact this has had on our understanding of their place in history.
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Christopher Smith is Director of the British School at Rome, Professor of Ancient History at the University of St. Andrews, and was Visiting Professor at La Sapienza University. His research focuses on political, social, and constitutional writing. He has authored two books: The Roman Clan: The Gens from Ancient Ideology to Modern Anthropology (Cambridge 2006) and Early Rome and Latium: Economy and Society c. 1000 to 500 B C (Oxford 1996).