500 BCE
(year): the beginning of the end of the Etruscan civilization. Though their cultural origins are somewhat mysterious, the Etruscans were a dominant force within the Italian peninsula for centuries. They even took control of Rome just prior to 600 BCE. By the end of the 6th century, thanks in part to the Etruscan building and development campaigns in the city, Rome had grown into larger and more powerful place, but there was firmly entrenched hatred toward the domination by Etruscan kings. In 509 BCE, Lucius Junius Brutus led a rebellion against the last Etruscan ruler of Rome, Tarquinius Superbus (Brutus’ uncle), forcing the Etruscans out of the city and eventually out of the region.
As we near the end of December, IAS is also marking the beginning of the end of our Campaign for 500 initiative. Launched back in September as an effort to recruit new members and encouraged lapsed members to rejoin our organization, our campaign has been a great success, and we have you to thank for it! With the success of our Campaign for 500 so far, we are happy to say we now have the largest membership in our organization’s history.
We might have surpassed our goal for 500 members, but we’d love to keep growing! For others who are still considering membership, we would, of course, be thrilled to have you join us. This is a great time to join IAS because those who join or renew by December 31, 2015 will be members until January 1, 2017. Membership options begin at $20 for graduate students and $30 for regular members. Patron and Benefactor levels allow you to make a great impact on Italophiles everywhere. The IAS also welcomes donations, which are tax-deductible, so please consider contributing to the IAS before year’s end.
Etruscan Statuette of a Kore, late quarter 6th century BCE. Bronze. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
“Sarcophagus of the Spouses,” 520-510 BCE. Terra cotta with polychrome. Louvre Museum, Paris.
Candelabrum Stand of a Dancing Maenad, c. 525-500 BCE. Bronze. Cleveland Museum of Art.
Posted by Alexis Culotta