History /
Dacians in Poland [18]
Etruscans in Central Italy, a people originally from as far away as the Caucuses!!
Etruscans called themselves Rasna and Rasena (many data on it on internet). When you know that name of Thracians (Th-racians) coming from Raska what was medieval name for Serbia (in Latin Rasciani, for Hungarians Serbs were Raci, for Poles Serbs were Racowie, Germans used to say Ratzen), you see same pattern in foreign transformation of native `RAS-` ethnic name in ethnic names of Ethruscans (Eth-ruscans) and Thracians (Th-racians).
NOTE: since time immemorial Serbians were known as `Srbi` and `Rasani`. If we take as fact that ethnic name of Serbs represent preserved local version of Sarmatian name (once universal name of all Slavs) and, if we then follow that ancient parallelism in Serbian ethnic self-designation (`Srbi` and `Rasani`), we understand why in the texts of old scholars territories of Thracians and Sarmatians overlap. We then also understand that all what was said about Thracians was said about Proto or simple old Slavs, to say- Slavs of antiquity. Thracian name, same as name of Sarmatians was once universal name of all Slavs. So, Ehtruscans were old Slavs, no doubt about it (this is supported with other proofs, too).
But why that dualism in ethnic self-designation in Serbs (`Srbi` and `Rasani`)?
It is ancient atavism, remnants of truly deep past, proof how ethnic Slavs were formed in time immemorial. For only really long period of time needs to pass that one civilization comprehend itself in that way. By many internet sources, name of Serbs for ancients meant `a lot of people`, `numerous people` (in Ukrainian you have word `posarbitsya` - to collect in English). Scholars have suggested that the Indo-European root *ser- 'to watch over, protect', akin to Latin servare 'to keep, guard, protect, preserve, observe' (applied in particular to herds and flocks of domesticated animals). Most probably that word `Ser` in old England was influenced by the ethnic name of Sarmatians who were seen as overlords. In some Caucasian languages, "Sur" means "man" (singular) with the suffix "-bi" becomes "men, people" (plural). In Armenian, Surb means "holy, saint"
On the other side, name of `Rasani`, in Serbian language stays connected with red and pink color. RUJNA color is in fact ancient Serbian term for red/pink color.
So, when ancients said they are Serbs (ie Sarmatians) they meant they are `people` (comprehending itself as numerous and important people). Yes, they had that element of self-awareness. They were aware that is their language spoken on intercontinental level (on vast territory), that they are strong people. Just look how they designated those who didn`t speak their (Sarmatian/Thracian/Slavic) language - `nemci`, meaning `mute people`, `those who don `t speak`. Our Slavic ancestors were overlords in their realm, no doubt about it.
But, when ancients said they are `Rasani` they wanted to say how are they people that is red, pink in their physical appearance. Meaning, they were aware how are they Whites. No, when think of it don`t vulgarize term `whites`. For ancient people wasn`t politically colored as we are today. They were simple people, self-aware and that what they were they were and they named it. Also, have in mind that is White people in fact truly pink people (thru their white skin you have red pigmentation). So, `Rasani` must be how ancients racially comprehended itself, of course in comparison to the rest of the world.
As for how did terms (`Srbi` and `Rasani`) survived in parallel use till the middle age and even to the modern time, that must be in connection to the fact that Western Balkan was ancient so called `Ice age refugium` for ancients, for our civilization. To say, tradition survived in old core. After old core, first migrations were in direction of Baltic (Balkan-Baltic line) along the great rivers, so thru Lusatia as new core. That is why in Lusatia also survived memory on Sarmatian name in form of Sorb.
i actually hardly can found words to tell you how are Slavs old civilization. No wonder that some authors (as Czech Jandacek) places Proto Slavs and formation of their diverse dialects even 40.000 years in past, speaking of them as true natives of Europe that shared life and competed with Neanderthals. Must be that all Whites inherit from Slavs, due to different circumstances.
Just for the record.
There is the small town in Romania, cultural center of local Serbian minority in Romania. Town is close to the Serbian border, too. Region was populated in antiquity and was one of centers (a Danube river port) of Roman province of Dacia.
Name of town is Orșova (Orshawa) what sound pretty much like Warshawa. Nearest village to the town of Orshava, have name Svinica. Considering that we speak of port, it reminded me of Świnoujście in Poland. So, logic in naming places is same.
Sarmats everywhere.