Cerveteri is a city in the Lazio region, located about 55 km north of Rome.
First of all, it is known for the ancient necropolises of the Etruscans.
The Etruscans are a mysterious and mysterious people, after which there were grandiose necropolises, similar to the cities of the dead, frescoes telling that the Etruscans were not averse to drinking and taking a walk at feasts, but where they came from remains unknown, their language has not yet been deciphered from houses were gone.
The Etruscan culture predated the Roman culture. They lived in the central part of Italy, in the lands called Etruria. The Romans called them Etruscans or Tus, the Greeks called Tirsen or Tyrrhenian, and the Etruscans themselves called themselves the Rasennes.
Where they came from in central Italy is still a mystery. A number of hypotheses were put forward, but they all had no proof. So Herodotus retold that the Etruscans were Lydians who were forced to leave their homes and wander in search of fertile and fertile lands. Moreover, Herodotus himself doubts this hypothesis.
The Greek theorist Dionysius of Halicarnassus is inclined to believe that the Etruscans have Italian roots. And Titus Livy points to kinship with the Retas who lived in the Alps.
Nowadays, a theory has appeared that the Etruscans are the ancestors of the Russian people. They say the Etruscans called themselves "Rasennes", and "Etruscans are Russians." An amusing hypothesis that hardly has any serious followers.
Looking at the faces and slanting eyes of the sculptures that adorn the Etruscan tombs, a resemblance to the peoples of Asia Minor comes to mind.
Promotional video:
But the riddle remains unsolved. The same story with the Etruscan language.
The Etruscans left behind no books, only gravestone tables and an insignificant amount of manuscripts. True, there is still a mummy wrapped in cloth, which describes religious ceremonies and a tombstone from Peruzhda with a text about the purchase of land. But this turned out to be not enough to decipher the language of the Etruscans.
The Etruscans founded many Italian cities that became important centers. The houses were built of wood or brick. But the splendor of the Etruscan temples, which were erected on towering pedestals. The Etruscans were a very religious people, they observed thousands of rituals and were known as skilled predictors. Finding out the will of the gods was the main task of the Etruscans.
Ancient Etruria consisted of 12 autonomous regions with capital cities, which were linked by only one language and religion. Otherwise, these were scattered cities. The list of cities could change over time, but the number remained unchanged. Only during the Roman Empire increased to 15. In the VI century. BC. the Etruscan League arose.
Cerveteri, called Cere by the Etruscans, played a key role in the league.
It was a wealthy and prosperous city. The population of Cerveteri during the heyday of Etruria was 25 thousand people. In addition, Cerveteri controlled the deposits of metal-bearing ore, was engaged in agricultural work and used the vast forest resources.
But the new state was gaining strength and power, it was destined to become a powerful empire called Rome. Etruria was an obstacle and a rival.
Cerveteri was the first to surrender to Rome. In 351, he withdrew from the Etruscan League, thanks to which Rome allowed him to maintain a semblance of autonomy. The decline of the Etruscan era has begun.
Near Cerveteri is one of the largest Etruscan necropolises of Banditaccia, in which, according to the plan, thousands of tombs are located.
Most of the necropolises date back to 500-600 years. BC, from them we draw information about the Etruscan civilization.
They attributed the most important role to the funeral custom, although they differed from place and changed over time.
A road cut into the rock led from the city to the necropolis. This was the last journey for the dead, the carts shaking along the deep ruts formed by the numerous processions.
The poorest were buried in pits, and the rich and noble were buried in luxurious mounds, consisting of several rooms, sometimes with underground rooms. Detached mounds and other graves were connected to cities of the dead, which reached impressive sizes.
The nobility was kept along with slaves, things and jewelry, lying in full growth in luxurious clothes, they were placed in stone sarcophagi. Cremation in Cerveteri was abandoned early.
Later, the mounds were replaced by more modest rectangular tombs.
There are many of them, half flooded with water and covered with duckweed, in Cerveteri. Unlike the mounds, which were razed to the ground.
Tombs and burial mounds:
Tomb of the Hut (della Capanna) (VII BC)
Tomb of the Capitals (Tomba dei Capitelli) (VI BC) with columns of the Aeolic order.
Tomb of Cassetta (Tomba della Cassetta) (VI BC)
Tomb of Ram (Tomba della Cornice) (VI BC)
Tomb of Doli (Tomba dei Doli) (VII BC)
Tomb of the Sarcophagi (Tomba dei Letti a Sarcofago)
Tomb of the burial boxes (Tomba dei Letti Funebri) (VI BC)
Colored mound (Tomba Policroma) (VI BC)
Tomb of the well (Tomba del Pozzo) (II BC)
Tomb of the Reliefs (Tomba dei Rilievi) (IV-III BC) - the tomb of the Matunas family. Covered with frescoes.
Tomb of Greek vases (Tomba dei Vasi Greci) (VI BC)
Mound of Mara (Tumulo Maroi) (VII BC)
Mound of Mengarelli (VII BC) Large mound with a single unfinished tomb.
Tomb of the Aretino vases (Tomba dei Vasi Aretini)
Tomba via dei Serpi
Colonnello mound (Tumulo del Colonnello) (VII century BC). One of the largest burial mounds of the necropolis, dug directly into the tuff.
Via delle Serpi.
Tomb Hut.
Dolya's tomb.
Mound by Mara.
The Etruscans left behind many works of art. The frescoes decorating the tombs. Black clay vases - the Etruscans were skilled potters. In addition, they processed metal, made stunning fine products from silver and gold. The most famous examples of Etruscan art are the Roman She-Wolf and the Chimera of Arezzo.
The Banditaccia necropolis is open from 8:30 am to sunset, closed on Monday.
A huge “wild” part, consisting of tombs, which are looked after by volunteers, is also worth noting. Anyone can take a walk here absolutely free.
The Orsini Castle houses the Cerite National Museum, which displays Etruscan finds from tombs.
The Orsini Castle houses the Cerite National Museum, which displays Etruscan finds from tombs.