A Podcast about Rome. Part 3: Etruscan Places and the end of the Kingdom.

In the first two episodes of this podcast I spoke of hazy legends, and the tangible legacies built upon them. Today we begin to emerge from the mists of legend into the realm of history. Specifically the year 509 BCE, as we now think of it. The Romans were of course unaware that something momentous would happen 509 (or so) years later.

In that year the last king of the Rome, Tarquinius Superbus (Tarquin the Proud) was overthrown. He was the last of the Tarquins, the final three of those seven kings which Livy tells us were Etruscans.

The Apollo of Veii, c.510 BCE. National Etruscan Museum at Villa Giulia. 3 April 2022.

What then was happening just north of Rome as the Tarquins were sent packing and the Republic founded? From the Tiber to the Arno, Etruria was a league of cities of a civilisation which called themselves Rasna (the people). The closest to Rome, and the richest, was Veii. As Rome was emerging from legend into history, and the Republic was being founded, Veii was building a grand temple dedicated to Apollo.

Apollo and his Archaic smile at the moment of his discovery in 1916. Photo credit: National Etruscan Museum at Villa Giulia.

Meanwhile at Pyrgi, one of the ports of the Etruscan city of Caere, another temple was being dedicated. This was a sign of alliance between Etruria and Carthage and bilingual dedications incised on three gold tablets discovered here in 1964 provided an important tool for the understanding of the anomalous Etruscan language.

Santa Severa, the remains of the Temple of Uni-Astarte lie beyond the castle. 17 February 2022.

Looking beyond the castle to the remains of the sanctuary of Pyrgi, where the Pyrgi Tablets were discovered in 1964 by Massimo Pallottino. 17 February 2022.

The Pyrgi Tablets, c. 500 BCE, National Etruscan Museum at Villa Giulia. 3 April 2022.