The Etruscan World (Routledge Worlds)

• Ingrid Edlund-Berry –

Figure 35.4 Rusellae, House of the Impluvium. Photo: Ingrid Edlund-Berry.

ARCHITECTURAL TRADITIONS IN CENTRAL ITALY

Because of the similarities in building materials, construction, form, and decoration
between buildings created in Etruria proper and in neighboring areas such as Rome
and Latium, it is diffi cult to attribute innovation to one culture rather than another.
Since the written evidence for events in Rome is so much greater than for any other
area of central Italy, it is tempting to credit Rome and her citizens as the innovating
force in both political and cultural spheres. But, as indicated by the archaeological
evidence, all communities were in contact with each other through trade and as people
and ideas traveled in all directions technical skills were shared in production of goods
and construction of buildings.^23 At least for the Archaic period, before 500 BC, it would
seem that Etruria and Latium, including the Faliscan territory, shared many of the same
achievements, and it was not until Rome had confi rmed her status as the leading city
that we can witness a separation of traditions between Etruscans, Latins, and, ultimately,
Romans. But, at the same time, the architectural heritage of Etruria was transferred from
the Etruscan cities into Rome, once ruled by Etruscan kings, where it was combined
with the traditions of Latium. Thus Roman culture, including architecture, absorbed a
heritage that it was destined to transmit to the peoples of the Mediterranean and Europe.

ETRUSCAN TEMPLES AND MOULDINGS

The Etruscans were known for their practice of religion, and their sanctuaries contained
temples and other buildings as well as altars and places for worship. Because local stone,
clay, and wood were the primary building materials, Etruscan buildings were not meant
to last, and had to be constantly rebuilt to withstand the vicissitudes of weather and
time.^24 By the time of Vitruvius, the most revered building in Rome, the Capitoline
temple, was still standing, but only because of continuous maintenance. It is therefore
likely that what Romans and others knew about early Etruscan architecture was based
less on autopsy than on hearsay, perhaps with the exception of stone temple foundations