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The Etruscans
English, Italian (translation)
317 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1942
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 2, 2021
This is a 1978 revision of a book first published in 1942, by Etruscologist Massimo Pallattino, who is considered as an authority in the matter. The book is quit old, more discoveries were certainly made in the past 30 years. However, it deals with important questions of methodology and fundamental issues which are definitely worth the time. Moreover, the book is much closer to a textbook or even a scholarly work than a popularization for enthusiasts. Pr. Pallattino wants the general public to get exposed to these discussions of rigorous scholarly level, in order to be better informed and reduce the aura of mystery and almost the pop culture level of fascination surrounding the Etruscan civilization to this day.
For amateurs and antiquity enthusiasts such as myself, the experience was illuminating to say the least. First of all was the methodology. We may be fascinated by the ancients, but how do we reconstruct these civilizations and cultures ? How do we know about their political organization, religions and worship, customs and values. Well, some methods are quit obvious, such as historical accounts from later writers, excavations of sites... other methods are less so, and I admit this is the first time I hear of them, and I found them quit ingenious, such as linguistics studies, study of pre-historic cultures, and also the interpreting of archeological findings, which is not as simple as it sounds.
The book confronts various theories made by some very learned and clever people on the subject. Reformulation of the main problematics, critic of hypothesis, delimitation of obscure zones of study. Considerations of time and space are also advanced to keep on mind that Etruscan civilization spans over centuries and did co exist and interact with Mediterranean civilizations which are no less sophisticated.
Essential issues are tackled at length, such as the question of the "origin" of Etruscan people, the formation of their nation, and of course the developments made in the understanding of the Etruscan language.
Globally this is an essential read for non spacialists, as it teach as enthusiasts to bridle our imagination, to stay sober and critical. As for professionals, I believe it still useful, as questioning our methods constantly is the foundation of every quest for knowledge.
For amateurs and antiquity enthusiasts such as myself, the experience was illuminating to say the least. First of all was the methodology. We may be fascinated by the ancients, but how do we reconstruct these civilizations and cultures ? How do we know about their political organization, religions and worship, customs and values. Well, some methods are quit obvious, such as historical accounts from later writers, excavations of sites... other methods are less so, and I admit this is the first time I hear of them, and I found them quit ingenious, such as linguistics studies, study of pre-historic cultures, and also the interpreting of archeological findings, which is not as simple as it sounds.
The book confronts various theories made by some very learned and clever people on the subject. Reformulation of the main problematics, critic of hypothesis, delimitation of obscure zones of study. Considerations of time and space are also advanced to keep on mind that Etruscan civilization spans over centuries and did co exist and interact with Mediterranean civilizations which are no less sophisticated.
Essential issues are tackled at length, such as the question of the "origin" of Etruscan people, the formation of their nation, and of course the developments made in the understanding of the Etruscan language.
Globally this is an essential read for non spacialists, as it teach as enthusiasts to bridle our imagination, to stay sober and critical. As for professionals, I believe it still useful, as questioning our methods constantly is the foundation of every quest for knowledge.
April 27, 2019
It would be nice to be able to award 4.5 stars, the half star being deducted because of the author's apparent belief that any Etruscan thought process must slavishly follow either the Egyptians or the Greeks. Otherwise excellent. I especially enjoyed the last few linguistic chapters.
June 23, 2020
There might be some interesting material here, but the writing is very difficult to get through and in any case is likely an outdated resource. I tried very hard for 150 pages, and people generally know me as a masochist of a reader.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews