THE ETRUSCAN PANTHEON

Several ancient authors knew that the terms ais, aisar (aesar) meant “god, gods”, as in the Magliano plaque (Suetonius Augustus 97; Dio Cassius 56.29.4). Theonymics (names incorporating the name of a deity) in all periods include Usile for a man (from Usil, Sun, ET Cr 2.64); and women’s Tanaquil, Oanacvil (“gift of Thana”) and Thesathei (after Thesan, Dawn, a popular goddess); Thania, or Thana, remains on scores of Hellenistic urns (ET Cr 7.1; Bonfante & Bonfante 2002: 206, 162; Turfa 2006a: 70-71).

Major votive dedications name gods familiar from Roman or Greek versions, and many that were not: Tinia (Jupiter), Uni (Juno), Menrva (Minerva/Athena), Turan (Venus), Vei (Ceres), Catha (called “daughter” [of the sun]), Culsans, Cel Ati (Mother Earth), Tec Sans/Tecvm (a father god), Thufltha (Favor, god of fowling?), Selvans (Silvanus?), Tiur (Moon) and the war god Laran (Pfiffig 1975: 231-366; van der Meer 1987; Colonna 1988, 1997). Cults of foreign origin include Fufluns (Dionysos), Artumes (Artemis), the Tinas Cliniiar (“Sons of Tin” = Dioscuri, Castor and Pollux, ET Ta 3.2), Atunis (Adonis, de Grummond 2006c: 94- 100; Torelli 1997b). Usil (Sun), Cilens (God of the Night) and Nethuns (Neptune) are not named on extant votive offerings, although the Zagreb liber linteus, Capua tile and/or Piacenza liver invoked them (van der Meer 1987, 2007; de Grummond 2006c). Beginning in the Geometric period, Etruria embraced Greek myth and legend, so figures such as Theseus and Hercle (Herakles) and the Theban and Trojan cycles appear frequently in art and votive religion. So do Etruscan spirits or personifications, precursors of Roman Genii, Favores and Lares, and Lasa, often in multiples and in both genders (Torelli 2000b: 281-2; de Grummond 2006c). The loss of literature complicates our understanding of the once-rich indigenous mythology of Etruria. Etruscans, like their neighbours, addressed some gods as “father” or “mother” (ati Cel, “Mother Earth”, van der Meer 1987: 72-3; Colonna 1976-7; Santuari 34, 49 no. 1.17). (For all personages, see entries in LIMC; Simon 2006; Krauskopf 1974, 2006; de Grummond 2006c; Bonfante & Swaddling 2006; van der Meer 1995.)