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CHAPTER VI.
DENTAL ART AMONG THE ETRUSCANS.
Much earlier than the foundation of Rome (_b.c. there flourished
753)
in that part of Middle Italy today called Tuscany the highh' civili/ed
people known b\' the name of Etruscans or Toschi. I'heir political
organization had the form of a confederation of twelve principal cities,'
the federal capital being Tarquinii. The Etruscan people were indus-
trious, intelligent, and artistic in the highest degree, possessing special
skill in the decorative arts, splendid monuments, some of which still remain
to us; they were fond of luxury in all its manifestations, and took great
care of their persons; at the same time, however, they were a laborious
and courageous race, not onl\- most active and enterprising in agri-
culture, in art and commerce, but also brave warriors and hardy
navigators.
In their long sea voyages the Etruscans frequently visited E^}:pt_and
Phoenicia, trading especially in the more flourishing cities, which w^ere
at that time Memphis in Egypt, and Tyre and Sidon in Phoenicia. On
the other hand, the Phoenicians, who were also active merchants and
navigators, not only visited Etruria and other regions of Itah" verv
frequently, but also established numerous colonies in many islands of
the Mediterranean, and especially in those nearer to Italy.
This continual intercourse between Etruscans, on the one side, and
Egyptians and Phoenicians, on the other, accounts for the great influence
exercised by the Egyptian and Phoenician civilization upon the later
developed Etruscan culture—an influence manifesting itself very distinctly
in the works of art of the latter, which often have an altogether Oriental
character, and not seldom represent scenes drawn from the domestic life
of the Egyptians and Phoenicians.
As to what concerns dental art, ever^thing leads up to the belief that
it was practised by the Egyptians and Phoenicians earlier than b}- the
Etruscans, whose civilization, as alread\- hinted, is certainh- less ancient.
Nevertheless, in comparing the dental appliances found in the Etruscan
tombs with the sole authentic dental appliance of Phcenician work-
' Arretium, Caere, Clusium, Cortona, Faesulje, Falerii, Pisrc, I^usselhe, Tarquinii, Vetulonia,
Volaterne, Volsinii.
" DenefFe, La prothese dentaire clans Fanrifjuire, p. 51.
CHAPTER VI.
DENTAL ART AMONG THE ETRUSCANS.
Much earlier than the foundation of Rome (_b.c. there flourished
753)
in that part of Middle Italy today called Tuscany the highh' civili/ed
people known b\' the name of Etruscans or Toschi. I'heir political
organization had the form of a confederation of twelve principal cities,'
the federal capital being Tarquinii. The Etruscan people were indus-
trious, intelligent, and artistic in the highest degree, possessing special
skill in the decorative arts, splendid monuments, some of which still remain
to us; they were fond of luxury in all its manifestations, and took great
care of their persons; at the same time, however, they were a laborious
and courageous race, not onl\- most active and enterprising in agri-
culture, in art and commerce, but also brave warriors and hardy
navigators.
In their long sea voyages the Etruscans frequently visited E^}:pt_and
Phoenicia, trading especially in the more flourishing cities, which w^ere
at that time Memphis in Egypt, and Tyre and Sidon in Phoenicia. On
the other hand, the Phoenicians, who were also active merchants and
navigators, not only visited Etruria and other regions of Itah" verv
frequently, but also established numerous colonies in many islands of
the Mediterranean, and especially in those nearer to Italy.
This continual intercourse between Etruscans, on the one side, and
Egyptians and Phoenicians, on the other, accounts for the great influence
exercised by the Egyptian and Phoenician civilization upon the later
developed Etruscan culture—an influence manifesting itself very distinctly
in the works of art of the latter, which often have an altogether Oriental
character, and not seldom represent scenes drawn from the domestic life
of the Egyptians and Phoenicians.
As to what concerns dental art, ever^thing leads up to the belief that
it was practised by the Egyptians and Phoenicians earlier than b}- the
Etruscans, whose civilization, as alread\- hinted, is certainh- less ancient.
Nevertheless, in comparing the dental appliances found in the Etruscan
tombs with the sole authentic dental appliance of Phcenician work-
' Arretium, Caere, Clusium, Cortona, Faesulje, Falerii, Pisrc, I^usselhe, Tarquinii, Vetulonia,
Volaterne, Volsinii.
" DenefFe, La prothese dentaire clans Fanrifjuire, p. 51.
