The Etruscans
Time: 11:00 - 13:00
Location: Keeley Street
- Course Code: RC029
- Dates: 01/11/24 - 15/11/24
- Time: 11:00 - 13:00
- Taught: Fri, Daytime
- Duration: 3 sessions (over 3 weeks)
- Location: Keeley Street
- Tutor: William Sterling
Course Code: RC029
Duration: 3 sessions (over 3 weeks)
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What is the course about?
The Etruscans are one of the more mysterious civilisations of Ancient Europe. The Greeks and Romans are well known but the influence of the Etruscans on them is less well known. The course will look at the history of Etruria and the 12 Etruscans city states from the eighth century to the first century BC. This history is difficult to piece together as it relies on the accounts of outsiders and archaeology filling in the blanks. After the Romans took over rule of the Etruscan towns they continued to develop their own culture for some time until fully integrated.
What will we cover?
We shall look at their religious beliefs and practices and how these changed over time as well as their culture and art
as survives from the magnificent tombs. Fortunately, many objects have been excavated and the British Museum has a particularly fine collection of them. The course will be a virtual tour of the Etruscan Gallery and a look at some of the Etruscan pieces in the Enlightenment Gallery, the Celtic Gallery and the Greek and Roman Life room.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- describe important aspects of Etruscan history, culture and society
- appreciate the cultural achievements of the Etruscans
- identify some of the ways in which scholars have interpreted the Etruscans.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is an introductory course and does not assume any previous study or reading although you will need a good grasp of English to keep up with the course. As with most of our history courses, an open mind and a willingness to listen to and think about views with which you do not always agree are more important than specific levels of skills.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The course is run by Dr William Sterling so anyone familiar with his courses will be aware of the mixture of illustrated lectures, discussions, questions, reading and analysis of original texts (in translation). The course will include a visit to the British Museum.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Bring pen and paper if you wish to take notes.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Any other Ancient Civilisations courses. See the website for details.
After a BA in History & Geography at Keele with Music, Education and Greek Studies as subsidiaries, William Sterling taught History full-time before becoming a Civil Servant working for the Departments of Transport and Education. This allowed him to study part-time for his MA from Birkbeck and PhD from King’s College, London. From 1992, he lectured in Adult Education at a number of colleges before joining the City Lit in 2008. Since 1994 he has been an official Gallery Guide at the British Museum, covering the whole museum but specialising in the Ancient Greeks, Romans and Etruscans, the Medieval & Modern European and Enlightenment Galleries. As a lecturer, he specialises in those same areas as well as Royal History (especially British Monarchs from 1603 to 1910), Composers’ Lives and other Cultural, especially interdisciplinary, topics. He also lectures on Cruise Ships on subjects ranging from Vikings to Shakespeare. He runs a website offering free resources on the subjects he teaches.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
