Worlds Intertwined: Etruscans, Greeks and Romans

by Brian White

This spring, there is only one place where you can mingle with Roman legionnaires, the goddess Athena, gladiators and Etruscan priestesses.

The new permanent exhibit, "Worlds Intertwined: Etruscans, Greeks and Romans" at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology will have all of these and more. Opening-day visitors can hang out at a life-size Roman caupona (a tavern) or enjoy A Thousand Years of Ancient Mediterranean Costume, a Greek-vs.-Roman fashion show that will finally settle the question of who the best-dressed ancients were. For a fully realized classical experience, the Vagabond Acting Troupe will be performing in an interactive program that invites participants to become a Greek pilgrim, Roman assassin or Etruscan slave on weekends through April 16.

The new exhibit, nine years in the making, aims to answer such burning questions as, "Who the hell were the Etruscans?" According to exhibit co-curator Irene Romano, the Etruscans were a very influential culture that predated the Romans. Roman numerals and the Roman alphabet (that's the one we use) actually originate from the Etruscans. "Worlds Intertwined" has over 1,400 artifacts on display from the three cultures, dating from 3000 B.C. to the fifth century A.D., such as this Funerary Relief of Man and Servants (pictured). The four galleries that make up the exhibit show parallels between the cultures in commerce, art and culture. The Etruscan gallery is the only comprehensive exhibit of its kind in the United States, said Romano. A 12-minute video produced by the museum staff shows classical influences on Philadelphia, from the Coliseum-like Franklin Field to the Greek-inspired Waterworks buildings at the foot of the Art Museum.

So if you want to rub elbows with a love goddess or talk to Roman soldiers as they lounge at the caupona, this is a day not to be missed.

"Worlds Intertwined: Etruscans, Greeks and Romans," Grand Opening Celebration, Sun., March 16, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., free, University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, 3260 South St., 215-898-4000.