etruscan

Everyday

1. The Etruscans were an ancient people who lived in central Italy, in an area called Etruria (roughly modern Tuscany), before and during the early days of Rome. tree →
2. Etruscan means belonging to these people, their art or their language. tree →
3. Etruscan is also the name of their language, which used an alphabet like the Greek one and is still only partly understood. tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons about ancient Rome, the Etruscans come up as the neighbours who ruled Rome for a time and taught the Romans things such as arches, gladiator games and parts of the alphabet. Their painted tombs and bronze statues are famous in museums. Phrases: «Etruscan tombs», «Etruscan kings», «the Etruscan alphabet».

Examples

• The Etruscans lived in Italy before the Romans became powerful. tree →
• We saw an Etruscan vase in the museum. tree →
• Some early kings of Rome were Etruscans. tree →
• Etruscan tombs are painted with scenes of feasts and music. tree →
• Experts can read Etruscan letters but understand only some of the words. tree →
• The Romans learnt a lot from Etruscan builders. tree →

Note

A name of a people: written with a capital E. Plural: Etruscans. Say «ih-TRUS-kun».