The people of ancient Etruria, a sophisticated civilization in central Italy before Roman dominance.
Plural of Etruscan; refers to the ethnic group who lived in Etruria from approximately 900 BCE until their integration into the Roman Republic around 27 BCE. The name derives from Latin 'Etruscus,' with uncertain ultimate origins, though 'Tyrrhenoi' was a Greek designation for the same people.
Etruscans invented the toga, gave us the fasces (the bundle of rods that became a symbol of power), and were one of the few ancient civilizations where women had significant public roles and could attend banquets—something that shocked the Greek and Roman male-dominated societies around them.
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