Etruscan

Chiusi, C-shaped cornu

Find Spot: Chiusi

Date of Illustration: Second century BCE

Description: An illustration from a much-later period (250-225 BCE), from Chiusi, a U-shaped cornu is shown (top right-hand corner of image) being played in a battle scene. The portrayal is of a Seven Against Thebes scene and it cannot be said whether it is a portrayal of contemporary practice, rather than an anachronistic rendering of an ancient theme by a 2nd century BCE artist. However, as this portrayal is of a battle scene, it may be that the use of the U-shaped form was continued in the military long after the development of the larger more-curved instruments seen in ensembles. Seven Against Thebes is the third play in an Oedipus-themed trilogy produced by the Greek author Aeshylus in 467 BCE. References to the tale, both written and graphic, are more common in Greek sources. Aeschylus does not describe a scene like this in his play and does not refer to any instrument which might be construed as a cornu of any sort but does refer to one of the seven champions, Tydeus, who awaits the call of the salpinx before engaging in battle:

Archer Blowing Salpinx on a Plate

Find Spot: Vulci

Date of Illustration: • around 520 BCE to 500 BCE

Cornu and Lituus on Etruscan Sarcophagus

Find Spot: Vulci

Current Location: Boston Museum

Description: Cornu and lituus players among a group of figures on an Etruscan sarcophagus.

Etruscan Cornu and Lituus fron the Tomb of the Shields

Find Spot: The Etruscan Necropolis of Monterozzi in Tarquinia.

Date of Illustration: 4th century BC

Etruscan image of Nike blowing a Cup-Belled Salpinx

Find Spot: N/A

Date of Illustration: N/A

Description: Depiction of a the Goddess Nike blowing a cup-belled salpinx.

Etruscan Salpingai played for Boxing Match

Find Spot: N/A

Current location: N/A

Date of Illustration: N/A

Etruscan Salpinktes accompanying a Boxing Match

Find Spot: N/A

Date of Illustration: N/A

Description: N/A

Citations:

IC249

Find Spot: Tomba Giolini

Date of Illustration: c. 4th century BCE

Iconography: Etruscan Liticen hold Instrument

Find Spot: N/A

Date of Illustration: N/A

Description: A small statuette of a person holding a lituus. It is not ckear whether this is a sound-tool lituus or an augur’s (silent lituus.)

Lituus and Cornu on Wall Painting

Find Spot: Tomb of the Seven Chimneys Orvieto

Date of lllustration: 4th Century BCE

Long Salpinx played during Sea Battle

Find Spot: Caere (modern Cerveteri, Italy)

Date of Illustration: N/A

Musignano U-Shaped Cornua

Find Spot: Musignano

Date of Illustration:

Description: Two players carrying U-shaped cornua in a procession

Pian di Civita Lituus

Dating of Item: c. 680 BCE

Current Location: National Museum, Tarquinia, Italy

Tomb of the Augurs, Tarquinia

Find Spot: Tomb of the Augurs (Italian Tomba degli Àuguri), located within the Necropolis of Monterozzi near Tarquinia, Lazio, Italy