Historical Dictionary of the Etruscans: (Historical Dictionaries of Ancient Civilizations and Historical Eras)

The Etruscans were the creators of one of the most highly developed cultures of the pre-Roman Era. Having, at one time, control over a significant part of the Mediterranean, the Etruscans laid the foundation of the city of Rome. They had their own language, which has never been totally decoded, and their art influenced such artists as Michelangelo. While the Etruscans were eventually conquered by the Romans, they left a rich culture behind. The Historical Dictionary of the Etruscans relates the history of this culture, focusing on aspects of their material culture and art history. A chronology, introductory essay, bibliography, appendix of museums and research institutes, and hundreds of cross-referenced dictionary entries on important persons, places, events, and institutions provide an entry into a comparative study of the Etruscans.

About the Author :
Simon K.F. Stoddart is senior lecturer of the department of archaeology at the University of Cambridge and a Fellow of Magdalene College, Cambridge.

Review :
This is likely to prove a well-consulted title in many library collections. Students will welcome it as a source of factual material for their work, as will scholars as a means of quick-reference to confirm or discover information; it is also likely to prove of interest in general reference collections, given the widespread interest in an ancient mysterious people. Give a vivid picture of new work on Etruscan (mainly) and Roman archaeology and material culture.... It is abreast of the most recent scholarship, and the entry for 'genetics' gives a concise summary of the present state of knowledge or ignorance.... The plus points of Stoddart's volume include the fact that it covers a period going back to c. 1700 BC and, with its prehistoric emphasis, it will be useful for its full listing of Bronze Age and early Iron Age sites. This book is significant because it is the only English-language dictionary (or encyclopedia) specifically covering Etruria....Researchers will delight in an extensive and thorough appendix of museums and research institutions coupled with a comprehensive bibliography. Recommended for libraries serving upper-division undergraduate and graduate students.