Influence of Greek and Etruscans*

• no one knew 1st king, latin invade italy, built village, became rome, built on palatine
• borrowed many greek+etruscan ideas
• etruscans:dominated etruria (N. of palatine)
• greek established sicily +italy (some greeks came to rome)

Etruscan Engineering:

• learned from etruscans, arch, cuniculus

• arch=rest on 2 pillars, support 1/2 circle wedge shape stones
• public works, bridges, stadiums, aqueducts
• cuniculus (underground trench for irrigation)

Etruscan Sporting Events

• two bloody etruscan sporting events

• chariot races
• if chariot overturned, driver could be dragged under chariot wheel
• or trampled by horses
• often result in injury or death
• slave fighting
• gladiators fought against each other
• thousands of slaves died fighting
• after winning, they were executed

Greek Architecture

• Greek designs, marble temples, used concrete
• huge stadiums
• colosseum
• gladiators fought
• Circus Maximus
• chariot racing
• seat more than 200,000 spectators

Greek Writing

• Greek alphabet => Etruscans => Romans
• Like greeks, all capital letters, laws, bronze stone plaques
• Carved inscriptions in walls or columns for all to see
• Many roman writers inspired by Greek poetry or myths, Virgil, aeneas trojan prince fled...

Greek Art

• Greek pottery inspired roman potters, clay vessels, food water, wine, black figures red clay, gods+heroes, daily lives, into homes, Greek Roman art
• sculptors became skilled in portraying realistic bodies

Greek Mythology

• Greek gods influenced roman gods
• romans adopted many of the greek gods but gave them roman names
• Zeus = Jupiter
• Aphrodite = Venus
• Ares = Mars
  etc, etc