Cavalli Alati, Palazzo Vitelleschi, Tarquinia

Speranza



These beautiful Etruscan winged horses in terracota date from the 3rd century.

They are 3 ft. 9 ins and 4 ft long.

They were harnassed to the chariot of a god and decorated the pediment of a temple on theAra della Regina, a spot on the Piano de Civita, the site of the Etruscan town, still called Tarchuna.

It is a high bare tableland divided by a ravine from the modern town of Tarquinia, which adjoins the necropolis of its Etruscan predecessor.

There is now no sign of life on this desolate, tree-less stretch, yet is was obviously the site of a city, for the most casual inspection reveals brick-bats, fragments of earthenware, and pieces of worked stone and marble everywhere underfoot.