Special questions in Etruscan and Pre-Roman civilisations of Italy

Teacher(s)

Cavalieri Marco; Marano Martina (compensates Cavalieri Marco);

Language

French

Prerequisites

None.

Main themes

The course discusses problematic issues and specific problems of interpretation in relation with use of archaeological sources for the reconstruction of social and political relations between the beginning of the Iron Age till the full Romanisation of Etruria and the entire Italian peninsula in the 1st century AD.
The geographical and cultural scope comprises the whole of Italy with, to the north, the Gauls and Veneti, in the centre, the Etruscans, Umbrians and Picenians, and in the South, the Samnites, Osci, Greeks and the different peoples of Apulia.
Art, material culture and urbanism form the prime means of analysis for this reconstruction.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	Advanced course for archaeologists who want to improve their knowledge on one of the most remarkable civilisations of Pre-Roman Italy. The aim is to develop a critical sense and apply methods of analysis of art (painting, sculpture and architecture) and material culture. Use of theoretical and anthropological concepts in archaeological interpretation as well of Greek and Roman literary and epigraphical sources and Etruscan, Umbrian and Osc inscriptions.

Content

The Etruscan civilization between the Iron Age (9th-8th century BC) and the Hellenistic period (2nd-1st century BC) will be examined in order to reconstruct its most important elements and its capacity to assimilate and re-interpret Greek, Celtic and Italic influences transforming these into an original artistic and material expression corresponding with a specific social, political and religious system. This Etruscan creation is examined against the background of sculptural sources from the entire Etruscan culture region: Tuscany, Campania and the Po valley.

Teaching methods

A combination of ex-cathedra lessons by the teacher or possibly invited speakers.
 

Evaluation methods

The final note of the course is based on the submission of a written personal work (30% of the grade) and a written exam (70% of the grade).
The written personal work is mandatory and covers the Etruscan language and writing. It is due by December 31 (January session) and July 31 (September session).
The written exam includes open-ended questions.
The language of the exam and written work is French.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI), if used, must be used responsibly and in accordance with academic and scientific integrity practices. Scientific integrity requires that sources are to be cited, and the use of AI must always be disclosed. Students are required to systematically indicate where AI has been used, e.g., in a footnote specifying whether AI was used to search for information, to write the text or to correct it. Furthermore, sources of information must be systematically cited in compliance with bibliographic referencing standards. The student remains responsible for the content of their production, regardless of the sources used.

Online resources

Pdf of Course and bibliography.

Bibliography

Lectures conseillées (disponibles à la BFLT) : S. Haynes, Etruscan Civilization. A Cultural History, The British Museum Press, 2000 ; J.-N. Robert, Les Etrusques, Guide Belles Lettres, Paris 2004 ; Prima Italia. Arts italiques du premier millénaire avant J.C., Catalogue de l'exposition de Bruxelles, Bruxelles 1980.

Faculty or entity

> EHAC