The Etruscans are the most interesting and the most mysterious of the peoples who lived in Italy before Rome became a mighty empire. They may have come to Italy in about 1000 B.C. from some far region and settled in what is now Tuscany. From there their influence went out to neighboring regions.

The Etruscan men usually had short beards that came to a point. They wore short, tight-fitting jackets and over these a tebennus, a type of cloak that was always brightly coloured and was the precursor of the Roman toga. They had pointed shoes and their caps, known as tutulli, were also pointed.

Etruscan women, who were elegant and refined, also wore pointed shoes and caps and long narrow skirts under a pleated mantel. They loved to wear sparking jewels, earrings, pins, bracelets and pendants of various kinds, often of great beauty and exquisite workmanship, and to comb their hair into various styles.

Etruscan women did not live apart like the women of ancient Greece or, to a lesser extent, of Rome. They took part in gymnastic events and attended banquets.

The guests at an Etruscan banquet were often entertained by musicians playing on flutes and lyres.

The way of life of these people appears to have been happy and carefree. We can tell this from the wall paintings and friezes they left on their tombs and from their sculpture. But were know nothing about the life of the simple Etruscan people who must have worked hard.