Tarquinia: An Etruscan City (Duckworth Archaeological Histories)

Tarquinia Was One Of The Great Cities Of Ancient Etruria, Where The Most Powerful, Creative And, Sometimes, Elusive Civilisation Of Pre-roman Italy Emerged. The Archaeology Of Tarquinia Has Been At The Forefront Of Etruscan Studies Since The Dawn Of Antiquarian Scholarship And Is Renowned For Its Unique Painted Tombs And Vast Cemeteries. Drawing On Archaeological, Artistic And Written Evidence, Robert Leighton Charts The Rapid Growth And Transformation Of The City From Later Prehistory Until Late Antiquity, With Reference To Social, Political And Economic Trends In Each Period.--jacket. Discovery And Loss -- Sepulchral Treasures -- The Lucrative Adventure -- Literary Encounters -- New Aims And Methods -- Origins And Growth -- Site And Setting -- Prehistory -- A Villanovan Township -- Regional Links And Trade -- Cemeteries And Symbols -- Illustrious Corpses -- The Rise Of The City State -- Social Dynamics -- East Meets West: Arts And Crafts -- Settlement And Territory -- Legend, Literature And Literacy -- Urban Transformations -- Urbs Florentissima -- City Of The Dead -- Tomb Painting -- City Of The Living -- Gravisca -- Text, Epigraphy And Society -- Tarquinia And Rome -- History According To Livy -- Monterozzi And Scataglini -- Names And Faces: Sarcophagi And Inscriptions -- Painted Tombs -- Urban Topography -- Municipium And Oblivion. Robert Leighton. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 197-209) And Index. Tarquinia was one of the principal cities of ancient Etruria, the most powerful nation in pre-Roman Italy, and has been at the forefront of Etruscan studies since the early days of antiquarian scholarship. The lack of Etruscan literature and problems with the interpretation of ancient sources have given archaeology a very significant role to play in understanding this elusive civilisation. Robert Leighton charts the history of the site and its interpretation, from its use in early propaganda under the Medici and other Tuscan rulers, to nineteenth-century interest in the discovery of the painted tombs, for which the site is famous, and twentieth-century concentration on the extensive prehistoric burial grounds which provide evidence for the 'proto-Etruscan' Villanovan culture. He considers the significance of Etruscan art in the Archaic period, a topic of hot debate, setting it in the context of economic organisation, long-distance trade and the important role of Tarquinia's port of Gravisca. Recent explorations of the city walls and public and religious buildings of Hellenistic and later date are also discussed. Tarquinia was one of the great cities of ancient Etruria, where the most powerful, creative and, sometimes, elusive civilisation of pre-Roman Italy emerged. The archaeology of Tarquinia has been at the forefront of Etruscan studies since the dawn of antiquarian scholarship and is renowned for its unique painted tombs and vast cemeteries. Drawing on archaeological, artistic and written evidence, Robert Leighton charts the rapid growth and transformation of the city from later prehistory until late antiquity, with reference to social, political and economic trends in each period. He reveals the fascinating history of discovery and interpretation, the place of Tarquinia in thought and scholarship from the Renaissance up to the present day, and the activities and impressions of visitors, from antiquaries to eminent writers and poets, including Stendhal and D.H. Lawrence. He also discusses the interpretation of burial rites, the process of urbanisation, the significance of tomb frescos, religious and public buildings, and the fateful relationship with Rome, in the light of the most recent evidence and theories. The discovery of ancient Tarquinia (Tarch(u)na in Etruscan, Tarquinii in Latin) followed trends in Italian or, more broadly, European scholarship from the age of Humanism through the Enlightenment, the Romantic and modern eras.