Etruscan language facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Etruscan |
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The Cippus Perusinus, a stone tablet bearing 46 lines of incised Etruscan text, one of the longest extant Etruscan inscriptions. 3rd or 2nd century BC.
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| Native to | Ancient Etruria | |||
| Region | Italian Peninsula | |||
| Extinct | >AD 180linglist | |||
| Language family |
Tyrsenian?
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| Writing system | Old Italic script | |||
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The Etruscan language was a unique language spoken and written by the Etruscans. They were an ancient people who lived in a region of Italy called Etruria. Today, this area includes parts of Tuscany, western Umbria, and northern Lazio.
Etruscan was also spoken in other parts of Italy. This included areas like Lombardy, Veneto, and Emilia-Romagna. Later, other groups like the Gauls moved into these northern regions.
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What is the Etruscan Language?
The Etruscan language is very old. It was used from about 700 BC until around 100 AD. This means it was spoken for many centuries. It is different from most other languages spoken in Europe at that time.
Most European languages belong to a group called Indo-European. But Etruscan is not part of this group. This makes it a bit of a mystery for language experts. They call it a "language isolate" or part of a small "Tyrsenian" family.
Where was it Spoken?
We have found many examples of Etruscan writing. These writings are called inscriptions. They have been found in different parts of Italy.
Most inscriptions come from northwestern and west-central Italy. This includes the region of Tuscany, which gets its name from the Etruscans. The word tusc in Latin means "Etruscans."
Other places where Etruscan writings were found include Lazio, north of Rome. They were also found in Umbria, west of the Tiber River. Some inscriptions appeared near Capua in Campania and in the Po River Valley. These areas likely show where the language was once used.
Why is the Etruscan Language Important?
The Etruscan language is important because it tells us about a powerful ancient civilization. The Etruscans were skilled artists and engineers. They influenced the early Romans a lot.
Even though we have many inscriptions, we don't fully understand the Etruscan language. This makes it a fascinating puzzle for historians and linguists. Learning more about it helps us understand ancient Italy better.
How Do We Know About It?
Most of what we know about Etruscan comes from short inscriptions. These are often found on tombs, mirrors, or pottery. They usually say who owned an object or who a tomb belonged to.
One of the longest Etruscan texts is the Cippus Perusinus. This is a stone tablet with 46 lines of writing. Another important discovery is the Pyrgi Tablets. These are gold sheets with writing in both Etruscan and Phoenician. This bilingual text helps experts try to translate Etruscan words.
These ancient writings are like clues. They help us piece together the history and culture of the Etruscan people.
Images for kids
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Drawing of the inscriptions on the Liver of Piacenza; see haruspex
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Maximum extent of Etruscan civilization and the twelve Etruscan League cities.
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The Pyrgi Tablets, laminated sheets of gold with a treatise both in Etruscan and the Phoenician language, in the Etruscan Museum in Rome
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Tumulus on a street at Banditaccia, the main necropolis of Caere
See also
In Spanish: Idioma etrusco para niños
