Between the IX and the III century b.C. Tuscany was inhabited by a population which origin remains a mystery even nowadays, due to the lack of linguistics and lifestyle similarities of Etruscan people with other populations; we have a lot of archeological sources about Etruscans, and necropolises have a relevant position in touristic interests. Etruscans’ territory extended from Arno river to Tevere river, and the area in the centre of Italy took the name of Etruria, turned in Tuscia by Romans, from which derived Tuscania and finally Toscana.
What archeological researches brought back tell us of a very evoluted civilization, in particular way about the social aspect, that links Ectruscan people to modernity: women and men had the same rights, and because of this they were hard criticize by Romans and Greeks, which civilization were built on a male-dominant model, while women were seen just as mothers and wives. The Etruscan woman, instread, enjoyed a complete freedom and authonomy: she could going out without her husband, or choose her own clothes by herself, and she took care of the children and of her beauty. Also, women could receive an education, they could start and activity by themselves, have an own tomb and the right to use the legacy; moreover, Etruscan women could trasmitt her surname to children, they patecipated to public cerimonies and games, and sitted among her husband during the feasts.
Those feasts were already famous to have a great importance into society: historical sources found out that Etruscans were really able in culinary art, and they are considered as precursors of the plush feasts so much loved by Romans. Etruscan meals were composed specifically by meat, served with legumes, fruits and honey. The most used vegetebles were chards, fennels, turnips, onions, broad beans, plums, figs and chestnuts. Every plate was served with olive oil to flavor, while the bread was saltless, even if largely used. In fact, even nowadays the tipical Tuscan bread is saltless. Obviously, in such feasts couldn’t miss the presence of a lot of wine.
Probably these habits brought Romans to define Etruscans like overweight people: Virgil called them pinguis Tyrrenus (“fat Tyrrhenians”), while Catullus used the term obesus Etruscus (“obese Etruscans”); different ways to say the same thing.
Today, in Valdelsa area, Volterra is centaily the most important city to have Etruscan origins, and it preserves the whole charm of ancient times.