copyright 2009, Maria Liberati

Editor: Christa Gutzler

The Etruscans were wild. Wildly mysterious, wildly artistic, and wildly efficient in their influence over Italian culture, the Etruscan civilization infiltrated the Umbrian region and dominated parts of their fertile lands for many centuries. Etruscan dominion covered the scope of art, politics, language, and religion. Exceptionally skilled, motivated, and powerful, they withstood opposition from the Umbrians and others who fought against them for control over many areas of northern Rome from the 9^th to 1^st century B.C. Known to be a seagoing community, the Etruscans traded exclusively in the Mediterranean. They are thought to have originated from Asia Minor, though modern thought strays to ideas that they actually formed as a consequence of internal struggle within the confines of Italy, leaving doubt as to the true location of their native lands. Regardless of where they came from, it is what they brought with them that still matters today, in the twenty-first century.

Both linguistic and creative contributions are evident by way of excavated tombs and surviving wall paintings and other artistic structures. Loaning words to Latin before AD 100, the Etruscan language was eventually replaced by Latin. Because some of the last Italian kings, before Italy transitioned into the republic system in 510 AD, are believed to have been Etruscan, a rich cabinet of Etruscan literature, legal codifications, and religious doctrine are said to have existed and served as the primary linguistic template. Figures like Claudius (10 BC-AD 54), Tarquin the Proud (AD 500), and Varo were literate in Etruscan language. Today, Etruscan inscriptions appear in their ancient form meant to be read from right to left. Only one Etruscan book survives and is almost entirely unreadable by modern linguists. This fact does not, however, render their linguistic offerings obsolete, as the Romans accessed much of the Etruscan language and influenced many modern languages still spoken today. Their writing mechanics found their way into Latin who later contributed to the romance languages like Italian, Spanish, French, and Romanian evident by their lexical, grammatical, and syntactic similarities.

The Etruscan people embraced artistic expression to reveal themselves to the world. Intricately decorated wall paintings, tombs, sculptures, rings, and other stones showcase their attention to detail and rich cultural influence on areas including but not limited to Umbria and Tuscany. Statues like Portonaccio Temple’s the Apulu demonstrate how expressive and deliberate their artistic processes were. The Etruscan she-wolf, dating back to 500 BC, is said to be the most legendary animal in art’s history. Why was their work so distinguished? The Etruscans did not revel in a few different types of art, but rather, they draped their talent, contributions, and legacy over so many aspects of the art world. The architecture and other concrete displays of art accredited to the Romans in many areas of Italy can be traced back to the Etruscans. They were pioneers in design, composition, materials, perspective, and impact on both ancient and modern Italian aesthetic beauty.

Find out how the Etruscans influenced today’s olive oil 

More on Etruscans

Museums of Umbria

Behind the Walls, Perugia, Umbria’s Capital

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 copyright, 2009, Maria Liberati

Editor: Kate Hollinger

Umbrian olives have been known as the best olives in Italy since ancient Roman times. Even today, Umbrian olives are notorious for making olive oil with an amazing potent flavor and digestive qualities and nutritional values to boot. The recipes for olive oil have been passed down through generations of Umbrian farmers, starting with the Romans and Etruscans. The region of Umbria is perched on a pyramid of hills 380 to 600 miles above sea level, which is surrounded by miles of olive groves. These olives come from the slopes of Apennine where the shoots are located, facing west.

Extra virgin olive oil is obtained by chilling the olives that are found in the foothills of Umbria and these are picked annually and entirely by hand. This process, known as pruning, involves the farmer climbing a ladder and picking the olives from the trees, working from the top down. The picking, transportation, washing and milling processes are all done so that they maintain the characteristics of the century-old olive oil.

Olive oil types are distinguished by their acidity level, and they are broken down into four categories. The extra virgin is the highest grade you can find and therefore the most popular, and has an acidity level of less than 1%. Virgin olive oil has a flavor that is more inconspicuous and a higher acidity, usually around 1.5 to 2%. Semi-fine is a blend of the two and has an acidity of 3% per 100 mL of oil. Finally, pure olive oil has a very modest flavor, color, and style and doesn’t overpower your dish.

Extra virgin olive oil, which is most prominent in Umbria, has an intense green color, a soft olive scent, and very rich, full flavors. It is best used for dipping uncooked breads in and flavoring soups, vegetables, salads, meat, and fish. To keep the product at its best, you should store it in a closed container in a cool environment away from direct sunlight. In some parts of Italy farmers even press small amounts of olives for the oil with fresh citrus fruit.

Check out the new Recipes and Articles page with lots more recipes and articles for you. Check back often, we are always updating with more articles. Go to Recipes & Articles

 Experience Italy Cooking School & Tour- if you want to see first hand the olive oil making process in Umbria, join me September 23-Oct 6th for a 7 day ,6 night stay at the villa that houses The Basic Art of Italian Cooking by Maria Liberati tm Cooking School in Italy. Join me for a hands on authentic Italian cooking classes, visits to local oilve oil mills and vineyards, local excursions and La Dolce Vita lifestyle at the villa nestled in the hills of  Umbria.  Participation is limited. Register with deposit by May 1st and receive a $200 discount. Go to Cooking School in Italy for photos, itinerary, prices and more or call Sue at 1-800-581-9020

Thanks to all who have come out to The Basic Art of Italian Cooking by Maria Liberati tm Cooking School programs at Whole Foods Markets in your area for the month of Febraury.  If there is a Whole Foods  Market in your area, ask for the next The Basic Art of Italian Cooking by Maria Liberati tm Cooking School Program and book signings. Go to http://www.marialiberati.com for upcoming dates

Mangia Bene, Vivi Bene,

Maria