In Etruscan mythology, Tyrrhenus (in Greek: Τυῤῥηνός) was one of the founders of the Etruscan League of twelve cities, along with his brother Tarchon. Herodotus[1] describes him as the saviour of the Etruscans, because he led them from Lydia to Etruria; however this Lydian origin is to be debated as it contradicts cultural and linguistic evidence, as well as the view held by both the Etruscans themselves and by other Etrusco-Roman and Greek ancient sources.[2][3][4] His name was given to the Etruscan people by the Greeks. The Romans extended this use to the sea west of Etruria: the Tyrrhenian Sea.
- ^ Herodotus, Histories I.94
- ^ Mrs. Hamilton Grey, Chapter I, "The Rasena"; pp.5-15
- ^ Dionysius of Halicarnassus, Antiquities Romanae, Book 1; Section 30.
- ^ Nancy Thomson de Grummond, Etruscan Myth, Sacred History, and Legend, "Foundation Myths and Legends"; pp. 201-208.