Vulci or Volci ( Etruscan : Velch or Velx , depending on the romanization used) was a rich Etruscan city in what is now northern Lazio , central Italy .
41-763: As George Dennis wrote, "Vulci is a city whose very name ... was scarcely remembered, but which now, for the enormous treasures of antiquity it has yielded, is exalted above every other city of the ancient world." Vulci was located near the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea about 80 km northwest of Rome, on the Fiora River , between Montalto di Castro and Canino . Remains of the city can be seen today. The Vulci, like other Etruscans, became master sculptors in bronze as acknowledged by ancient writers. Although most large bronzes have been lost, there remain some magnificent examples of Etruscan bronze work such as
82-399: A Turkish bath ( laconicum ) and a room for hot water bath ( calidarium ), covered with intact mosaic floors supported on columns of bricks to allow the circulation of hot air. Areas immediately south of the baths were a general sector for services directly connected with the decumanus by a narrow private road. The underground part of the house, the cryptoporticus, is accessed via a corridor to
123-499: A building still to be explored. The West Gate is the starting point of the Decumanus Maximus , the well-preserved east-west road of the city, paved with volcanic stone. Along the decumanus is an area occupied by a large residential complex. The first building, a large domus north of the decumanus, is preceded by a series of small rectangular rooms, perhaps workshops (tabernae), overlooking the main street. Among these open
164-409: A courtyard with a fountain in the centre, the result of the transformation of an original small lobby, probably in the late 1st century AD. This leads to the main lobby and then the rectangular peristyle surrounded by columns on all four sides. At the north-eastern corner of the peristyle are stairs giving access to the upper storey which is lost. The rich floor mosaic which dates from the first phase of
205-604: A major maritime power although it was located some miles up the river, like Rome. Originally the Etruscans were co-founders of Rome and they continued to dominate it. Vulci had some influence on early Rome, as Servius Tullius and the Vibenna brothers (Caile and Avle Vipinas) were from Vulci. Their names and pictures appear on a fresco in the François Tomb . After the population of Rome had become predominantly Italic ,
246-546: The British Museum and including sketches by Dennis and Ainsley. Dennis captures Etruscan civilization and Tuscan landscapes in able prose with scholarly detail. It was nevertheless generally unknown and unappreciated by the British public, partly because of Dennis' lack of academic credentials. He did make some fast friends among the academics who read his work, such as Austen Henry Layard . As his book did not receive
287-526: The Caelian Hill was named after) and Mastarna (a legendary figure whom the Emperor Claudius identified with Servius Tullius ). The tomb paintings include a representation of 'Marce Camitlas' (Latin equivalent 'Marcus Camillus') about to draw his sword against a crouching 'Cneve Tarchunies Rumach' ('Gnaeus Tarquinius of Rome'). The ancient histories of Rome do not include any reference to
328-729: The Chimera of Arezzo and the Monteleone chariot , possibly made in Vulci. In the 19th century thousands of the ancient tombs of Vulci were discovered, and many were so well known and spectacular, such as the Tomb of the Sun and Moon, that they were included on the Grand Tour of Europe. From these tombs more Attic vases have been found in the Vulci tombs than at any other ancient site (at least by
369-597: The Orientalising period of the 8th century BC is marked by the start of production of bronze objects such as covered urns in the shape of a house or cone, and the first of these products showed up in Greece towards the end of the century. The 7th century is represented by the tomb of the Bronze Wagon, and in its later stages valuable and sophisticated products were imported from many Mediterranean markets showing
410-467: The 1850s) and many of these masterpieces as well as Etruscan bronzes have found their way into the major museums of the world where they can be seen today. Despite these discoveries most of these tombs were later forgotten and lost. The Vulci were a tribe or people who gave their name to their city and were one of the legendary twelve peoples of Etruscan civilization who later formed the dodecapolis Etruscan League to protect their interests. Although
451-419: The 8th century AD. Recent excavations are discovering much more information on the history and importance of the city. The former wealth of the town was shown first by the discoveries made in its extensive necropoli starting from the 18th century - Greek vases, bronzes and other remains. From these tombs more Attic vases have been found in Vulci than at any other ancient site. Many of the finds were sold by
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#1732776299703492-623: The Etruscan civilization combined with his summary of the ancient sources is among the first of the modern era and remains an indispensable reference in Etruscan studies. George Dennis left school at the age of 15. He never went to college, and yet he interested himself in languages, studying ancient Greek and Latin on his own and eventually becoming a polyglot in French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, modern Greek, Turkish and some Arabic. A strongly physical man as well, he often went for 40-mile hikes in
533-519: The Etruscan kings were overthrown. After a time of crisis in the 2nd half of the 5th century, Vulci seems to have undergone a new expansion in the 4th century when the great tombs were built such as the François tomb. The Roman–Etruscan Wars lasted many years before the Romans gained control over Etruria and the Etruscans were soundly defeated at Lake Vadimo in 310 and 283 BC. Nevertheless, Vulci
574-686: The Hellenistic Tomb of the Bell-Ringers are preserved in the Archaeological Museum of Florence . Recent excavations have brought to light more large and spectacular tombs such as the Tomb of the Silver Hands. The walls were built in the first half of the 4th c. BC before the wars with the Romans and are about 6.5 km in circumference. Several sections can be seen. Three impressive and strong defensive gates of
615-574: The Hellenistic age. It is a complex of two or more buildings of still uncertain date and use. They are characterised by the presence of works of canalisation and different types of paving, using brickwork, tiles and local stone. In 2003 the foundations of a triumphal arch were discovered on the Decumanus at the west side of the Roman forum . Many fragments were found which allowed reconstruction of
656-415: The arch, and a long inscription was also found which dedicated it to Publius Sulpicius Mundus who was a Roman senator in around 100 BC. The temple has an imposing base of sides 36.5 x 24.5 m. The temple had a continuous colonnade on all four sides, doubled on the front by four additional columns; it is preceded by a projection with a central staircase. The temple reveals at least two construction phases;
697-720: The contact between Etruscans and Sardinians in this period was the Tomb of the Sardinian Bronzes in 1958 in the necropolis of Cavalupo, dated 850–800 BC, of a Sardinian woman of high rank. Among the funeral contents is a magnificent bronze statue of a warrior now in the National Etruscan Museum in the Villa Giulia . Numerous Villanovan fibulas have also been found in Sardinia. Vulci's expansion in
738-518: The domus is still preserved; the mosaics of the two rooms that open onto the porch are dated to the Augustan age. The porch overlooks an apsidal nympheum which includes a swimming pool probably built in Imperial times. In the north-western part are thermal baths that were reduced from four to three rooms in the restructuring of the Augustan age. They are composed of a dressing room ( apodyterium ),
779-404: The east of the peristyle covered by a well preserved barrel vault. The underground environment was ventilated and lit from 18 windows that open at the level of the garden above. The function of the underground complex was especially the preservation of products such as wine and oil that needed a suitable environment. Next to the north-western side of the domus is a series of rooms built probably in
820-598: The effect of the bridge. The Archaeological Museum of Vulci is located in the Castello dell'Abbadia and houses an extensive collection of finds. George Dennis (explorer) George Dennis CMG (21 July 1814 in Ash Grove, Hackney , Middlesex – 15 November 1898 in South Kensington , London) was a British explorer of Etruria ; his written account and drawings of the ancient places and monuments of
861-484: The excavators and many found their way into the major museums of the world where they can be seen today. In the 18th and 19th centuries many of the tombs were so well known and spectacular, such as the Tomb of the Sun and Moon, that they were included on the Grand Tour of Europe. Despite these discoveries most of these tombs were later forgotten and lost, except for the Cuccumella tomb, the largest tumulus mound in
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#1732776299703902-400: The five originals are now exposed. The remains of the north gate show an imposing defensive structure. On its west external side a votive ditch was discovered which was rich in materials documenting a cult linked to fertility dating from the Hellenistic era until the end of the first century AD. Near the ditch are tombs carved into a rocky bank. Not far away you can see the facing cross-linked by
943-476: The gardens of the adjoining Castello dell'Abbadia. The site also houses a mithraeum . The site was described by George Dennis as follows: It is verily a magnificent structure, bestriding the rocky abyss like a colossus, with the Fiora fretting and foaming at a vast depth beneath. But what means this extraordinary curtain of stalactites which overhangs the bridge on this side, depending in huge jagged masses from
984-525: The last quarter of the fourth century BC. The tomb seems to belong to the Etruscan family of the Saties (or Seties) and one of its chief occupants is Vel Saties, who appears with his dwarf, Arnza. Its outstanding frescoes are significant both iconographically and also in terms of their comments on Etruscan history and identity. The tomb contains a fresco depicting Caelius Vibenna (whom the Romans believed
1025-480: The most unusual shapes to satisfy its wealthy citizens, as is shown by the many masterpieces of Greek and Etruscan art from the tombs in national museums today. In return it exported its treasures throughout the Mediterranean: pottery, bronzes and wine. The original port of Vulci was a quay on the river Fiora but the expansion of trade led it to build a larger coastal port at Regisvilla (or Regae) and it became
1066-437: The oldest (late 6th century BC) had numerous architectural terracottas with Ionic columns . In the early Roman Imperial age the temple was rebuilt, which involved the replacement of the wooden elements of the elevation with travertine structures and opus caementicium . Among the many elements of the elevation which have collapsed and are visible around the monument, a fragment of the architrave with inscription can be seen. On
1107-409: The parapet, and looking as though a vast cataract had rolled over the top of the bridge, and been petrified in its fall, ere it could reach the ground?....The stalactites stand out six or seven feet from the wall, and depend to a depth of fifteen or twenty feet. Independently of their remarkable conformation, their colouring — a clear yellowish white — combines, with the grey or reddish masonry, to add to
1148-672: The recognition and remuneration it deserves, George used his contacts to obtain work with the Colonial Service, which shipped him off to British Guiana . He married there but he found life dreary. After 14 years he asked his friend Austen Henry Layard to mediate with Lord John Russell to get him out of Guiana. The ploy was successful and in 1863, at age 50, Dennis went as vice-consul to Sicily , subsequently to Benghazi and Smyrna in Turkey , accompanied by his wife. He had no children. Meanwhile, his magnum opus became widely read and
1189-518: The remaining Roman period, even though the Romans built the Via Aurelia through it in 240 BC. However, large buildings in the city date to this period. A surviving milestone gives the distance to Rome as 70 milia passuum (miles). The road outside the north gate was repaved probably under Trajan 's reign (early 2nd century AD), showing that it continued in good repair. Later Vulci became an episcopal see . The final abandonment seems to be in
1230-467: The rise in wealth and culture of Vulci, whilst many Greeks came to live in Vulci as shown by the craftsmanship, manufacture and trade in fine ceramics (e.g. bucchero ), bronze and gold. Vulci's golden age of influence and wealth was in the 6th century BC when it ruled over the cities of Orbetello , Saturnia , Sovana , Castro , Pitigliano and Marsiliana . It became a centre of imports of refined Attic pottery, precious oriental balm, beautiful jewels of
1271-528: The second and third editions of his work had come out. Fran%C3%A7ois Tomb 42°25′2.8″N 11°38′20.6″E / 42.417444°N 11.639056°E / 42.417444; 11.639056 The François Tomb is an important painted Etruscan tomb from the Ponte Rotto Necropolis in the Etruscan city of Vulci , Lazio , in central Italy. It was discovered in 1857 by Alessandro François and Adolphe Noël des Vergers . It dates to
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1312-409: The south side of the Decumanus is an apsidal rectangular building, believed to be a late Roman basilica . Originally with a gabled roof, it has a small apse and shows a combination of building techniques in the walls (especially in the east), such as opus reticulatum and opus incertum . The Ponte dell'Abbadia over the Fiora is a Roman bridge with a main arch of 20 m span and 30 m above
1353-428: The stream and was built upon an Etruscan bridge. (The Tufo buttresses are very probably Etruscan, for they are evidently the piers of the original bridge.) It carried the ancient road and the Romans, unusually, incorporated an aqueduct on it leading to Vulci about 1.5 km away. The overflow of the aqueduct after it fell into disrepair caused the "curtain of stalactites". The waters still flow from an aqueduct into
1394-415: The times had reverted to a semi-wilderness state, rural, depopulated, malarial and infested with bandits. There were few roads. Dennis hiked about the country living in the outdoors or in rural quarters infested with insects studying and recording the monuments he found and any traditions about them. The result of his travels was his 1,085-page treatise Cities and cemeteries of Etruria , published in 1848 by
1435-533: The two entrances of the Villa (or Domus ) of the Cryptoporticus , so named for its unusual and impressive underground rooms (cryptoporticus literally means covered porch, partly underground and was used in Roman architecture to build terraces or a covered market). It is a large and sumptuous private residence built in the classical style of noble Roman houses (domus with atrium and peristyle). Its earliest phase
1476-569: The uplands of Scotland and Wales . He resolved to become an explorer; however, he worked mainly alone. At age 22 Dennis conducted his first explorations in Portugal and Spain, writing his first work, A Summer in Andalucia, in 1839. Dennis roughed it in Etruria between 1842, at age 28, and 1847, in the company of artist Samuel Ainsley in three separate trips from 1842 to 1844. Etruria of
1517-614: The wealth, magnificence and population of Vulci must have been among the first of Etruscan cities, it is mentioned only rarely in ancient literature or potential texts for some periods have been lost; hence the history of Vulci may be reconstructed mainly from archaeology. In the Villanovan period, the wealth of metal resources in the Colline Metallifere hills was important in the development of trade especially with Sardinia . The most important discovery that testifies to
1558-467: The whole of Etruria. The astounding frescoes from the François Tomb , discovered in 1857, illustrating Greek and Etruscan myths , are considered some of the most celebrated of the Etruscans and are now in the private Villa Albani museum in Rome . Another important burial chamber, the so-called Isis Tomb , proved to be a rich source of finds, most of which are now in the British Museum . The frescoes of
1599-539: Was appreciated for the masterpiece it is. Oxford University awarded him an honorary Doctorate of Civil Law for it. He was made a Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George. His lack of a formal education was a stigma that prevented higher honours. He endured shallow reviews and comments for the rest of his life. George Dennis died alone in London at age 84 officially of "senile decay". At some time before his death,
1640-431: Was strong enough to further resist until Tiberius Coruncanius triumphed over Vulci in 280 BC and the colonia of Cosa was founded in its territory. The Romans took the coast from Vulci, cutting the base of their power which seems to have led to the decline of the city. The Etruscan league splintered apart during the war and the Etruscans were soon assimilated. Vulci does not seem to have been of great importance in
1681-577: Was the late 2nd and early 1st century BC and underwent numerous renovations in the Augustan period. Further changes were made between the Flavian and Hadrianic periods, while in late antiquity parts of the domus were partially reused. Later the area was abandoned and used as a cemetery from the discovery of tombs in the cellar. The large main entrance leads into a vast atrium, around which are arranged various rooms, divided into bedrooms ( cubicula ) and living quarters ( triclinia ). A second entrance leads to