Murlo
Murlo is a modern village situated next to the ancient Etruscan site of Poggio Civitate, which served as a significant religious and political center in northeastern Etruria, now part of modern-day Tuscany, Italy. The site, located on a wooded ridge near the Umbro River, reveals connections to various Etruscan regions, notably resembling artifacts from the city-state of Clusium (Chiusi). The archaeological remains include a large stone building believed to have housed a local prince or a governor from Clusium, dating back to around 650 to 575 BC, with notable renovations following a fire. Among the discoveries are nearly life-size statues and friezes depicting banqueting scenes, horse races, and a local chief with his wife, showcasing the artistry and cultural practices of the Etruscans. Murlo's prominence faded abruptly around 530 BC, potentially due to the rivalry with Clusium, which sought to assert control over its neighboring settlements. This historical context highlights Murlo's significance in understanding Etruscan civilization and its eventual decline.
Subject Terms
Murlo
is the name of the modern village beside an Etruscan religious and political center (on the Poggio Civitate site), of which the ancient name is unknown
Its remains lie in northeastern Etruria (north-central Italy), just beyond the river Umbro (Ombrone), and between two of its tributaries, upon a wooded ridge forming an extension of the hills known as the Catena Metallifera, from which metals were readily available. Although discoveries at Murlo show connections with various different parts of Etruria, they most nearly resemble the products of the city-state of Clusium (Chiusi), which was linked to the place by a route beside the Umbro and was probably its master.
A large stone building may have been the residence of the local prince or of Clusium's governor; it comprised four wings round a colonnaded central court a hundred and eighty feet square, and dates from c 650 and c 575 BC, when rebuilding took place after a fire. To this second stage of the palace belong a remarkable group of nearly life-size male and female statues that stood on the apex and acroteria (lateral terminations) of its pediment; more than a dozen of these figures, wearing broad-brimmed hats, have come to light. Friezes have also been discovered, showing banqueting scenes, horse races, and the figure of the local chief, holding a curved horn and accompanied by his wife (seated on a throne): both are attended by slaves. Murlo abruptly ceased to exist c 530. Like another town, Ferentium (Ferento, Acquarossa), it may well have been destroyed by the aggressive rising power of Clusium, jealous of the autonomy of its offshoot.