Taylor Wierenga

Professor Lark

History 134 - 112327

April 1, 2018

A Day In The Life of An Etruscan Woman

My name is Thana and I am a 27-year-old, Etruscan woman living in Italy. My husband,

Larce, and I live in the area that I suppose you would call “Tuscany” (Knox). I grew up here my

whole life and am a member of the more elite class of citizens. My great grandfather was a

simple merchant, but over the past few generations, my family has been able to change our social

group (“Etruscan Society”). Despite being in the aristocracy, many civilizations expect women to

be silent and of little importance, as displayed in their literature and art. It’s different, however,

for the Etruscans. Life isn’t so bad as an Etruscan woman compared to what women in earlier

times experienced. It is certainly very different from how women in other society’s are expected

to live. We are not like the other civilizations where women are supposed to be quiet and

invisible. I don’t have very many restrictions put on me, and I’m certainly not ignored by the

men. I’m a free woman who can pretty much do and say whatever I please. We are not like the

Romans, and they certainly acknowledge that with slight displeasure. They don’t like my

luxurious and somewhat scandalous way of life. I wear clothing similar to the men (high shoes

and mantles), which I’ve heard is considered ‘immoral’ by our Italian neighbors and Rome

(Knox).

As an Etruscan woman, I’m not tied down by societal expectations. On special occasions,

I’m allowed to join in on the festivities, watch chariot races with my husband and friends, and

recline with other men in front of others. I even have the freedom to drink wine in public and
toast with the men (Knox). I work as a weaver, which is a rather common role for women in my

society. My weavings are popular in the town that I live in, but my weaving skills aren’t the only

thing I’m proud of. I have three children, all of whom I am currently raising myself (Knox). I

enjoy and am expected to take very good care of my body, which is common for all women to do

within my civilization. We often exercise with the men in our society to remain in good shape

(Knox). I think that the most exciting part of being an Etruscan woman is that, unlike women in

the neighboring civilizations, I have property that I was able to inherit from my family in my

own right (“Etruscan Civilization”).

I cannot imagine being a member of another civilization, where I would not be respected

or valued. I’ve heard interesting things about the Roman women. They are referred to in relation

to their husband’s name and are entirely dependent on the males in their family ("The Role of

Women in the Roman World."). Women aren’t seen as being self-sufficient or capable in Rome,

and men think women have “weak judgment” ("The Role of Women in the Roman World."). In

general, I don’t hear about Roman women by name very often. They focus more on the men and

their role in society, government, and the military.

 Works Cited

Cartwright, Mark. "Etruscan Society." Ancient History Encyclopedia. , 2017, https://

www.ancient.eu/article/1016/etruscan-society/. Accessed 1 Apr. 2018.

- - -. "Etruscan Civilization." Ancient History Encyclopedia. , 2017, https://www.ancient.eu/

Etruscan_Civilization/. Accessed 1 Apr. 2018.

- - -. "The Role of Women in the Roman World." Ancient History Encyclopedia. , 2014, https://

www.ancient.eu/article/659/the-role-of-women-in-the-roman-world/. Accessed 1 Apr.

2018.

Knox, Sanka. "Etruscan Women Had Women's Lib." The New York Times, 30 Dec. 1972, p. 8,

https://www.nytimes.com/1972/12/30/archives/etruscan-women-had-womens-lib.html.

Accessed 1 Apr. 2018.