Special questions in Etruscan and Pre-Roman civilisations of Italy [ LARKO2360 ]

Pdf of Course and bibliography.

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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.

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.

Written examination, integrated by a personal work.

A combination of ex-cathedra lessons by the teacher or possibly invited speakers and seminars. The students are also invited to participate actively in certain sessions which may take the forms of seminars prepared by the students. Possibility to organize visits to the Musée du Cinquantenaire in Brussels and the exhibitions in others Museums in Rome, Paris or London.

The main topic to be treated during the year 2013-2014 is the function of funeral production and its religious and political value. The Etruscan civilization between the Orientalizing (9th-7th 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.

Required reading: S. Haynes, Etruscan Civilization. A Cultural History, The British Museum Press, 2000. J.-N. Robert, Les Etrusques, Guide Belles Lettres, Paris 2004. Recommended reading: Prima Italia. Arts italiques du premier millénaire avant J.C., Catalogue de l'exposition de Bruxelles 1981. J.-P. Thuillier, Les Etrusques. Histoire d'un peuple, Paris 2003.

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