How Did Etruscan Culture Influence Roman Culture
Roman culture is the prodigy of the outside influences of Greeks of the Magna Graecia and Etruscans in the early times until the Middle Republic. Their influences are prevalent through the current understanding of Roman society through the aspects of religion, education and architecture.
Magna Graecia, a land that was envied for its fertile land and great trade positioning between Greek, Etruscan and Phoenician channels of trade fell fully under Roman control in 89 BCE and from this time on, heavily influenced Roman culture, mainly their religion. Greeks of the Magna Graecia led a heavily religious life as, Mark Cartwright, an accredited writer of Greek philosophy, notes “religion was personal, direct and present in all areas of [Ancient Greek] life” . Thus, the Greeks of Magna Graecia would have presumably carried their belief of the importance of religion and in-turn …show more content…
Jupiter was the Roman equivalent to the highest god in Etruscan mythology who was the god of the sky, Tiana. The god Juno was the Roman correspondent to the Etruscan god Uni who protected every Etruscan city and watched over and protected women. Lastly, Minerva was the Roman equal to the Etruscan god Menrva who was the deity of war, art, wisdom and health. The Etruscan influences on the Roman gods are seen through the similarities in their roles, names and origins and as religion was a political tool used by both Etruscan and Roman governments to control their populace, the influence of Etruscan religion is profoundly evident in Roman culture.
Finding evidence on the Etruscan religion was difficult as most Etruscan writings have been lost and the observations made by the Romans on the Etruscans are either biased or have also since been lost. Nevertheless, religious Etruscan influences are still evident in Roman culture as seen by their similar names and
Magna Graecia, a land that was envied for its fertile land and great trade positioning between Greek, Etruscan and Phoenician channels of trade fell fully under Roman control in 89 BCE and from this time on, heavily influenced Roman culture, mainly their religion. Greeks of the Magna Graecia led a heavily religious life as, Mark Cartwright, an accredited writer of Greek philosophy, notes “religion was personal, direct and present in all areas of [Ancient Greek] life” . Thus, the Greeks of Magna Graecia would have presumably carried their belief of the importance of religion and in-turn …show more content…
Jupiter was the Roman equivalent to the highest god in Etruscan mythology who was the god of the sky, Tiana. The god Juno was the Roman correspondent to the Etruscan god Uni who protected every Etruscan city and watched over and protected women. Lastly, Minerva was the Roman equal to the Etruscan god Menrva who was the deity of war, art, wisdom and health. The Etruscan influences on the Roman gods are seen through the similarities in their roles, names and origins and as religion was a political tool used by both Etruscan and Roman governments to control their populace, the influence of Etruscan religion is profoundly evident in Roman culture.
Finding evidence on the Etruscan religion was difficult as most Etruscan writings have been lost and the observations made by the Romans on the Etruscans are either biased or have also since been lost. Nevertheless, religious Etruscan influences are still evident in Roman culture as seen by their similar names and