Laura Maria Michetti, Professoressa Ordinaria in Etruscologia e Antichità italiche, La Sapienza

Starting from the 7th c. BC, the Etruscan city of Caere (Cerveteri, RM) and its ports
played a fundamental role as a commercial hub in the Mediterranean sea, thanks to a
favorable geographical position along the maritime routes towards the mineral resources of
Central Italy. Its international role was so relevant, that Caere was the only city in the
Tyrrhenian area to own a thesauròs in Delphi’s panellenic sanctuary (Strab. 5.220).
Due to its geographical position, Pyrgi was the first Etruscan available landing place along
the Tyrrhenian routes. Pyrgi’s port and sanctuary have played a fundamental role in the
history of the ancient Mediterranean Sea, since they were the outpost of Caere on the sea.
Connected to Caere through a monumental road, the maritime settlement is the main
expression of a strongly characterized physical and socio-political landscape and of the
correlation between the natural environment and the organization of the coastal settlements.
In my talk, I will focus on the relationship between Caere and Pyrgi and the the strategies
through which the city organized, shaped, and managed its coastal territory.

Register to attend HERE.