A Forgotten Tradition: An Analysis of the Etruscan Practice of Using Śuθina 公开

Abstract

The Etruscans believed in the continuation of life after death. When people died and traveled into the afterlife, they needed their worldly possessions to continue with them and thus included them in tombs. Over 130 of these Etruscan objects have been inscribed with śuθina, meaning “for the tomb.” This thesis seeks to explore the patterns of how śuθina was used and why in order to provide a better holistic understanding of the Etruscan burial beliefs. To do so, I have examined a variety of objects of different provenances and materials in hopes of establishing these patterns. This thesis considers the differences between inscribed and non-inscribed objects, and reflects on their underlying funerary purposes. I conclude that select pieces that were owned and used by the deceased in life, that were not originally acquired to be placed in a tomb, were later marked with śuθina. Objects that were meant for funerary rituals and burial practices did not need to be labeled as “for the tomb” because their production and use inherently implied this. Additionally, if non-funerary items were not personally owned and used by the deceased in their life, they were not inscribed with śuθina. Even though these pieces were not made to be used in funerary rituals and burial practices, if their only employment was being put in a tomb, then their secondary purpose was for these burial rites and thus did not need to be inscribed.

Table of Contents

List of Figures-----------------------------------------------------1

Introduction-------------------------------------------------------3

The Etruscans-----------------------------------------------------4

Origins: c. 1000 - 780 BCE-----------------------------------------4

Orientalizing Period: c. 780 - 600 BCE-----------------------------5

Archaic Period: c. 600 - 480 BCE-----------------------------------6

Classical Period: c. 480 - 300 BCE----------------------------------7

Hellenistic Period and Romanization: c. 300 - 100 BCE------------8

Language-----------------------------------------------------------9

General Life-------------------------------------------------------10

Government-------------------------------------------------------10

Religion-----------------------------------------------------------11

General Artistry---------------------------------------------------12

Archaeological Sites and Findings---------------------------------13

Conclusion--------------------------------------------------------14

Chapter 1: The Language of the Etruscans-------------------------15

A Modern Understanding------------------------------------------15

The Patterns of Śuθina---------------------------------------------18

Sibilants and Transcription Systems-------------------------------21

Potential Interpretations of Śuθina--------------------------------25

Methodology-------------------------------------------------------30

Chapter 2: Terracotta Attic Pieces----------------------------------32

Attic Pieces with Śuθina--------------------------------------------32

Objects-------------------------------------------------------------33

Analysis of the Patterns in the Attic Ceramics----------------------40

Chapter 3: The Bolsena Tomb Group-------------------------------42

The Bolsena Tomb Group at the Metropolitan Museum of Art------42

Objects Made from Precious Metals---------------------------------44

Bronze Objects------------------------------------------------------49

Objects from the Bolsena Tomb Group without Śuθina-------------53

Analysis of the Patterns in the Bolsena Tomb Group---------------55

Chapter 4: Additional Bronze Objects of Interest-------------------59

Further Examples--------------------------------------------------59

Objects with Unexpected Dates------------------------------------59

Objects with an Onomastic Formula-------------------------------61

Notable Miscellaneous Object-------------------------------------66

Analysis of the Patterns in the Bronze Objects--------------------66

Conclusion--------------------------------------------------------69

Areas for Further Research----------------------------------------74

Figures------------------------------------------------------------76

Bibliography------------------------------------------------------106

About this Honors Thesis

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School	Emory College
Department	Ancient Mediterranean Studies
Degree	B.A.
Submission	Honors Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Art History Classical Studies History, Ancient
关键词	Linguistics Etruscan Funerary Suthina
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Creamer, Petra, Emory University
Committee Members	Clarke, Robyn, Emory University Master, Emily, Emory University

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