National Etruscan Museum

On Saturday we visited the National Etruscan Museum which is located in Villa Giulia, once the palatial residence of Pope Giulius III (circa 1551).  The collection is spectacular and it would seem that pre Roman Etruria, the land of the Etruscans, was a highly developed civilization which had adopted most things Greek, including the religion, the pottery and the myths.  

If you look closely you will see that the lady above is wearing high top shoes with shoe laces. Estruscan art has been preserved in numerous burial sites.  The next time my friend Keith Morrison comments on the way I used to dance, I will tell him that I learned my moves from the Etruscans.

This interesting sculpture taken from an Etruscan temple depicts scenes from the Theban Cycle from Greek mythology.

The museum visit was followed by lunch at Babbettes.  Though it is not far from the Spanish steps it was remarkable in that everybody in the place except us was Italian, including the ones Lynne calls the beautiful people.

Back home, Martin showed off his culinary skills by preparing artichokes Roman style and veal piccata for us.