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The '''Etruscans''' were the people who settled in the Italian peninsula prior to 700 BC.  Their language is unique; it is unconnected with [[Proto Indo European]] languages.  This has puzzled linguists for some time, since it does, alternately, bear some connection to a [[Greek]] dialect on the far side of the [[Mediterranean Sea]].  [[Herodotus]], who called the Etruscans the Tyrhennians, wrote that the Etruscans were offshoots of a tribe which lived in what would now be called [[Turkey]], who left their tribe as a result of dwindling food supplies, to seek greener pastures in a new colony far across the sea.  This theory, until recently, had little proof, and was thought by historians to be another one of [[Herodotus]]' outrageous, unverifiable, and likely false legends.  Such a theory of Etruscan origins also conflicted with cranial analysis that suggested that the Etruscans were native to [[Italy]].  Only recently has [[DNA]] testing shed some light on Etruscan origins - suggesting that Herodotus may have been, in fact, correct.<ref>NY Times, "DNA Boosts Herodotus' Account of Etruscans as Migrants to Italy," http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/03/science/03etruscan.html?ex=1176782400&en=c9c70938ec3e5f9a&ei=5070</ref>

The '''Etruscans''' were the people who settled in the Italian peninsula prior to 700 BC.  Their language is unique; it is unconnected with [[Proto Indo European]] languages.  This has puzzled linguists for some time, since it does, alternately, bear some connection to a [[Greek language|Greek]] dialect on the far side of the [[Mediterranean Sea]].  [[Herodotus]], who called the Etruscans the Tyrhennians, wrote that the Etruscans were offshoots of a tribe which lived in what would now be called [[Turkey]], who left their tribe as a result of dwindling food supplies, to seek greener pastures in a new colony far across the sea.  This theory, until recently, had little proof, and was thought by historians to be another one of [[Herodotus]]' outrageous, unverifiable, and likely false legends.  Such a theory of Etruscan origins also conflicted with cranial analysis that suggested that the Etruscans were native to [[Italy]].  Only recently has [[DNA]] testing shed some light on Etruscan origins - suggesting that Herodotus may have been, in fact, correct.<ref>NY Times, "DNA Boosts Herodotus' Account of Etruscans as Migrants to Italy," http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/03/science/03etruscan.html?ex=1176782400&en=c9c70938ec3e5f9a&ei=5070</ref>

Etruscan culture was composed of 12 [[city-states]], which functioned in loose alliance, on the [[Greek]] model.  The most powerful city-state was [[Veii]].  Most Etruscan cities functioned on a democratic-style system, and the cities would assemble with delegates once per year at the site (undiscovered, yet) of [[Fanum Voltumnae]] to set joint policy.  Dissent within the ranks of the twelve cities is put forward as one of the reasons for Etrsucan decline, and weakness upon the rise of the [[Roman Republic]].

Etruscan culture was composed of 12 [[city-states]], which functioned in loose alliance, on the [[Greek]] model.  The most powerful city-state was [[Veii]].  Most Etruscan cities functioned on a democratic-style system, and the cities would assemble with delegates once per year at the site (undiscovered, yet) of [[Fanum Voltumnae]] to set joint policy.  Dissent within the ranks of the twelve cities is put forward as one of the reasons for Etrsucan decline, and weakness upon the rise of the [[Roman Republic]].