RECENT SOCIETY EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
MAY 15 PROGRAM EXAMINED AMAZING ETRUSCAN LEGACY
The intriguing civilization of the ancient Etruscans came alive during a fascinating talk on May 15, 2016, at Casa Italiana given by Carla Kosciuszko. The topic of our 3rd program this year was "The Etruscans--An Amazing People" and we found out many things that surprised us, such as that there may have been Etruscans in Abruzzo. We learned that, at heart, this was a “civilization of intellectuals.” Our speaker Ms. Kosciuszko, after graduating with an art history degree from DePaul University in Chicago, studied Italian art history and language at the Istituto Dante Alighieri in Florence and did research at the Museo Archeologico Nazionale, also in Florence.
Her heritage is French, but she said during her college studies, she developed a love for Italian art and culture. Interestingly, her “day job” is as a computer cybersecurity expert, which is also her husband Ed’s field. Her husband, whose heritage is Polish, also attended the event. Ms. Kosciuszko said her love for Italian art and culture has never left her and she continues to always learn more and do research as a side project. She said she and her husband make trips to Italy when they can and they enjoy the amazing things they see. This program was held in collaboration with the Italian Cultural Institute (ICI) of Washington, DC, and we thank Director Angela Tangianu for facilitating ICI's participation and for her gracious remarks introducing herself to our Society and explaining the goals of the ICI.
The program took a look at the significance of the Etruscans--a civilization of ancient Italy, centuries before Christ--and the areas of Italy where Etruscan artifacts have been found, the theories of the origin of the Etruscans and their alphabet, engineering, tombs and afterlife and of course their art. Ms. Kosciuszko explained that the origins of the Etruscan people are uncertain, but it is known that the Etruscan civilization flourished in Toscana, western Umbria and northern Lazio from about 800 B.C. until maybe the late 4th century A.D. when it was absorbed into the Roman Republic. Ms. Kosciuszko told us that Etruscan artifacts have been found in Abruzzo, and although there is no conclusive proof that Etruscans lived in Abruzzo, it is certainly a possibility. She noted that many if not most Etruscan cities are older than Rome. Even nowadays, the Etruscans are in the news. As recently as March 2016, it was announced that a treasure-filled tomb, believed to belong to an Etruscan princess from the 8th century B.C., was unearthed by archaeologists in Italy.
The ancient tomb was found in a burial chamber three meters below ground in front of the ticket office at the archaeological site of Vulci in Lazio, which was once an important Etruscan city. Inside the tomb, archaeologists found the bones of a young girl wrapped in a fragile cloth, surrounded by valuable jewelry, pots and jars. The beautiful and highly elaborate pieces in amber, gold, ivory and silver attest to the artistic skills and the seafaring Etruscans' trade links. Of course, these treasures have made tempting targets for looters and smugglers. In fact, Ms. Kosciuszko noted that in January 2016, Switzerland returned to Italy 45 boxes of Etruscan art stolen during illegal excavations and stashed away for more than 15 years.
Historians have no literature and no original Etruscan texts of religion or philosophy, so much of what is known about their civilization comes from grave goods and tomb findings, such as those in Orvieto. As depicted in their art, the ancient Etruscans are known for having passed on to the ancient Romans the concept and love of gladiator combat, boxing and wrestling as entertainment. Also, they had a significant military tradition, and during their raids on neighboring areas, prisoners taken in battle would be ransomed back to their families and clans. And the famous Roman toga came from the Etruscans, although the Romans adapted it and required the toga to be worn by all citizens for formal public events like wedding feasts or gladiator games, with the togas in colors and styles that signified the status of the wearer.
As far as their architecture, the Etruscans absorbed the Greek influence and they made lasting contributions to the architecture of Italy which were adopted by the Romans and through them became standard to Western civilization. And as far as art, the Etruscans had a strong tradition of figurative art using terracotta and bronze. The afterlife was of particular importance in their art, and musical instruments are seen in frescoes and bas-relief, especially depicting different types of pipes. Among the most beautiful examples is a picture of the Flute Player, from the Tomb of the Leopards from about the 5th century B.C. Among their notable achievements, Ms. Kosciuszko told us how the Etruscans were the first to develop concrete and cement, as well as irrigation and sewage systems.
They also figured out how to use arches for building upward. They had a society in which status was indicated by their tombs, with “cheap tombs” for ordinary people versus more prestigious tombs on a hill with stone etchings of the name, for the more well-to-do. After the program, our members had many favorable comments about the presentation, saying they enjoyed Ms. Kosciuszko’s conversational tone and noting that her ease in fielding questions after her talk showed her deep knowledge of the subject matter.
The 94 attendees enjoyed a delicious lunch catered by Carmine’s Restaurant. Our thanks to everyone who helped with hospitality, including setting up before, and cleanup up after, the meeting, and to all those who donated raffle prizes and bought raffle tickets, raising $196 for our scholarship fund.