CHARUN DEBET EXSPECTARE - Translation AncientSites >Rome > Groups >Etruria New Vines "Products Contest" with $500 in Prizes! Places To Go!Today's PostsRomeAthensEgyptBabylonTaraMachuPicchuNewYorkAncientSitesSite MapAncientVine Rome Board Index | Rome Daily Posts Board: Etruria Topic: The Glory Days Topic Editor: Nesnut Hatshepsut Topic Description: The height of Etruscan powe... Email this post to a friend! Message: CHARUN DEBET EXSPECTARE - Translation Author: Lauchum - Camitlnas Tullius, Patron Date: Nov 18, 2000 19:36 A translation of Article by our resident haruspex Velthur Valerius in Scrivere in Italiano: =========Translation begins================= Article: CHARUN DEBET EXSPECTARE (CHARUN MUST WAIT) In a previous article of June 29 2000 "Tarquinia tenta l'unita politica" kindly translated by our friend Ali Livius with the title "Tarquinia's attempt at political unity" we have touched briefly on the Tarquinians with the escapades of the two leaders Velthur and Aulus Spurinna. Today we shall revisit the subject in more depth. BACKGROUND The period from 420 BCE to 396 BCE it is one of the most terrible and inauspicious for the Etruscan nation. Almost simultaneous attacks of the Celtic hordes in Padania, and Samnite tribes in Campania deprive them of their empire. Due to their inactivity or participation, Veii becomes Roman. Then Doric Greek expansion from Syracuse not only deprives them of some control of the Southern Tyrrhenian Sea, but results in attacks and devastation of the coasts of Etruria. Charun, the demon of death makes his appearance in Tarquinia, Arezzo, Volsinii, Bologna; other demons Vanth, Culsu, and the Lasa appear in Volterra, Volsinii and Tarquinia. 454 BCE. - 453 BCE. Syracuse's naval campaign against the island in Elba and Etruria (Pyrgi, Gravisca, Vetulonia and Populonia) 431 BCE. The outbreak of the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta. 423 BCE. The loss of the Etruscan "dodecapoli" in Campania by the Samnites. 396 BCE. The Fall of Veii to the Romans. 396 BCE. Loss of the Etruscan "dodecapoli" in Padania the work of the Taurini, Insubri, Cenomani, Boii and Senoni Gauls (Celts) 390 BCE. The Senoni Gauls conquer Rome. 415 BCE. (summer) Athenian ships sent to Syracuse (Sicily) 415 BCE. (end of year)naval battle in Syracuse. The Athenians get the upper hand and put into effect a naval and land blockade of the city. FACTS 414 BCE. Year 341 of the foundation in Rome Year 97 of the Roman Republic Year 4 of the 91st Olympiad (Ol. 91.4) Year 19 of Peloponnesian Wars Year 513 of the Etruscan nation (5th Saeculum) - News of the events in Sicily reaches Etruria but their actions are ineffective. The cities are no longer ruled by the old "princeps" but instead have an oligarchical system, They are governed by the aristocracy of the surviving great families who have overcome the struggles of the preceding period. In Tarquinia, at this stage, the most powerful and influential family is that of the Spurinnas. - The vast affairs of this family includes an alliance with the great Athenian power, and it drags in numerous nearby Etruscan cities (either a stipulated alliance or consecration at the Fanum Voltumnae). In this alliance, for better or for worse, the Etruscan people are represented by Velthur Spurinna, Praetor of Tarquinia and son of Larth Spurinna. The position of praetor is the highest political/military (but not religious) magistrate of the city (perhaps similar to the consul romanus). It seems that Velthur has everything well covered. He is entrusted with command of the forces to help Athens, busy with the siege of hated rival Syracuse. 413 BCE. Year 342 of the foundation in Rome Year 98 of the Roman Republic Year 1° of the 92nd Olympiad (Ol. 92.1) Year 20 of the Peloponnesian War. Year 515 of the Etruscan nation (5th Saeculum) - Velthur Spurinna departs, presumably from Gravisca with a fleet and federal army for Syracuse. The force takes part in the conflict with great honour, although on his arrival the situation is already badly compromised for his allies. - (July) Athenian Fleet led by Demosthones departs from Athens to bring help to Nicia (commander of the Athenian forces besieged by Syracuse). - (September) naval Battle of Porto Grande. Athens is defeated by Syracuse following an abortive landing. End of the venture. CONSIDERATIONS The Greek historian Thukydides with his Tyrrenian references in his Historiae doesn't tell us much more about him, however Velthur's venture leads us to certain conclusions: - this is one of the most glorious and prestigious events in Etruscan history; - it is the first documented military naval venture in the Mediterranean sea (even though Etruscan merchants and pirates had been active for a long time) - - the purpose of the venture was to restore Etruria as a superpower and to reinstate Etruria in the international political arena of the Greek and Punic peoples; - - Etruria again believes in herself and reacts to all their military disasters. We can say therefore that this is a period of political rebirth or maximum political splendour; - Tarquinia assumes political leadership within the Concilium Populi Etruriae. - Athens extended good relations with the Spurinnas for a lengthy period in gratitude. Years 358-351 BCE. Livy speaks broadly of the military deeds of the Tarquinian Etruscan Aulus Spurinna, nephew perhaps of Velthur Spurinna. The Etruscans, taking cognisance of the fact that Rome could be beaten after the disaster of Allia, recommenced its land offensives to regain the territory of Veii. The Tarquinian praetor initially conducts federal troops with great courage up the Tiber and devastates the shores of Ostia. The war then continued on with varying fortunes up to the final truce. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS In the period considered above it is deduced that for at least 60 years in Etruria the spirit of supremacy and retaliation revived toward outside enemies. Thanks to the Spurinnas, Charun, the demon of death was temporarily put to flight from the mind of the Etruscans. But perhaps all this was merely the determination of the immortals. ======End======================================= Next: Yes, we love Etruria ( - Melisa Alexandros ) Previous: Why We Love the Etruscans (and Don't Love the Roma ( - tanaquil Lupus )