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In Etruscan art, portraiture was honest and celebrating the joy of life, without the Greek habit of making faces symmetrical, or the Romans tendency to
portray themselves with God-like qualities. Romans, masters in the art of status symbols, were the first in our Western society (a precursor to the iconography of the fascists)
which has led to our modern obsession with imagery. The Mediterranean lifestyle has been admired, aspired to and emulated the world over, representing the good life and
beautiful people. Cereals, legumes, oil, olives, vegetables and wine formed the basis of the Etruscan diet, with meat, fish and cheese added as a small side addition or for special
occasions. In Southern Italy, they enjoy a predominantly vegetable based diet, whereas in the north it is still more meat focused and encompassing raw meat specialities.
