linteus

Linteus is a Latin adjective meaning “of linen” or “made of linen,” derived from the word linum for linen. In Latin it is used to describe textiles, garments, or other items fashioned from linen and agrees with the noun it modifies (for example, tunica linteus, tunica lintea, tunica linteum). The term appears in classical texts to distinguish linen fabrics from wool, silk, or other materials.

In historical and linguistic contexts, Linteus is most prominently associated with the Liber Linteus, or the Book of Linen. The Liber Linteus is the best-known Etruscan text and is so named because the inscription was preserved on linen fabric. Fragments of this text were discovered in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and are housed in museum collections, notably the Archaeological Museum in Zagreb. The inscription is the longest extant text in the Etruscan language and provides crucial material for study, though much of its content remains difficult to interpret. Dating of the manuscript is debated, with scholars generally placing it in the late archaic to early classical period of Etruria.

Significance of the Linteus in scholarship lies in its contribution to understanding Etruscan vocabulary, grammar, and religious or ritual language. Because Etruscan is only partially understood, the Liber Linteus serves as a key resource for comparison with other inscriptions and for refining hypotheses about Etruscan syntax and loanwords. Beyond its linguistic value, the term Linteus also highlights the historical use and value of linen textiles in ancient societies.