Etruscan military history

Like many ancient societies, the Etruscans conducted campaigns during the summer months of the year, raiding neighboring areas, attempting to gain territory, and combatting piracy.

Prisoners could also potentially be sacrificed on tombs to honor fallen leaders of Etruscan society, not unlike the sacrifices made by Achilles for Patroclus.

The varieties of shields, helms, armour and weaponry vary according to date and location, but can still be organized into broad stylistic categories.

What does survive are generally robust spear points and wide blades not unlike early Roman weaponry.

The example was anatomical in design, meaning the bronze plates were fashioned to look like the chest and back of a robust man.

The Narce Tomb breast plate evidently would have restricted the range of motion considerable more and has led to hypotheses that it was intended for a stationary commander.

This tomb provides a great deal of beneficial insight to the several types of Etruscan material culture including weapons.