Etruscan Metalworking
Etruscan Metallurgy Influeneces
The Etruscans were big in metallurgy. They used metals such as copper, bronze, tin, silver, gold, and other raw metals. They had a plentiful resource of copper on their Island of Elbe. They preferred the elaborate techniques of incision, granulation, stamped decoration and Etruscan terracotta overcoat, which the Greeks used on their statues. The Etruscans did not just make armor and weapons out of metal, they made daily life objects too, such as agricultural tools, urns, statues, etc. Lavish items like bronze mirrors, intricate gold jewelry, often encrusted with priceless jewels, and fibulae (fib-yoo-lee) was found in wealthy Etruscan tombs. Wealthy Etruscan women sometimes wore gold false teeth or crowns, it was reflected as highly popular. The most appealing Etruscan metalwork was armor and weaponry. In battles the Etruscan foot soldiers used robust weapons such as axes, clubs, daggers, curved swords, lances and spears usually made of bronze. Also they wore sinwey leather sandals with lead or silver straps, they had an advantage on rough ground. For armor protecting their chests they wore fabric reinforced with metal studs with significant bronze plates shielding their hearts. Their shields and helmets were made out of bronze. Their military horses also wore protective armor, like bronze plates over their chests. The horses' tack was made up of silver and bronze bits and bridles. Going into combat the Etruscan foot soldiers and gladiators were accompanied by a composer (musician) who played a buoyant tune with a copper or bronze trumpet.