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| Laran | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Etruscan Pantheon | |
_05.JPG) Etruscan Votive Figurine of Laran | |
| Etruscan | ΛΑΡΑΝ |
| Parents | Tinia (Probable)[1] |
| Consort | Turan[2] |
Laran is a militaristic Etruscan god often compared to Mars and Ares.[3] Laran is known from his depictions on bronze Etruscan mirrors and Etruscan votive figurines[4]. There are thirteen inscriptions of Laran's name in Etruria[5].
Laran is one of the nine Etruscan gods capable of wielding lightning[1]. This is a distinct difference to the Greek and Roman beliefs, which followed the thought that only Zeus or Juppiter could handle lightning[1].
Depictions
[edit]
The Celsclan Mirror
This (upper left) fourth/fifth century BCE bronze mirror shows Laran fighting against Celsclans, the Etruscan word for a Giant[2]. Laran is depicted here as a bearded warrior in full armor. This mirror is thought to show the similarities between Ares(Mars) and Laran as they fight in the Gigantomachy[1].
The Return of Sethlans Mirror
This (middle left) third century BCE Etruscan mirror is identified as showing an Etruscan telling of a known Greek myth, the Return of Hephaestus to Olympus. In this depiction, Fufluns leads the intoxicated Sethlans in the company of Laran and Mariś. Laran’s role in this scene however is unclear[1]. Laran and Maris are shown as companions, both depicted as nude military youths[1].
The Birth of Menrva Mirror
This (right) third century BCE Etruscan mirror shows the birth of Menrva from the head of Tinia. It is unknown why Laran is included in this scene[1]. Again Laran is shown with Maris. Maris is labeled Maristinsta. though this time Maris is shown as being older than Laran, as he is bearded whereas Laran is still represented as a youth[1].
The Dunking of the Maris Babies Mirror
This (bottom left) fourth century BCE bronze mirror shows an unknown ritual where it appears that Menrva is dunking a group of infants into an amphora[1]. Laran is depicted in this scene but he does not appear as an active participant and his exact purpose or influence is unknown[1]. Laran is shown as a nude youth leaning upon his spear[1].
Votive Figurines
Miniature bronze figures of Laran are not uncommon[4]. These figurines normally show Laran in armor and brandishing his weapons[4]. None of these figurines are inscribed so as to inform us of their purpose[5].
Inscriptions
[edit]Eleven of the thirteen times that Laran's name appears it does so as a label on a mirror[5]. These inscriptions come from all over Etruria; north, south, east, and west[5]. Though the Etruscans did not often label their pottery[4], there is, however, one vas, from Latium, which bears an inscription mentioning Laran[4].
References
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Cite error: The named reference
:0was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Simon, E. 2006. "Gods in Harmony: The Etruscan Pantheon." In The Religion of the Etruscans, edited by N. Degrummond and E. Simon, 45-65. Austin: University of Texas Press. ISBN 9780292721463
- ^ N. de Grummond, 2006, 138-140.
- ^ a b c d e Simon, E. 1984 "Ares/Laran" In Lexicon iconographicum mythologiae classicae Vol. II, 498-505. Zurich: Artemis Verlag. ISBN 3-7608-8751-1
- ^ a b c d Meiser, G. 1991. "Etriskische Texte". Tubingen: Narr. ISSN 0023-4567