- chapter 57: The tradition of votive bronzes in Etruria –
beginning in the last thirty years of the seventh century bc, they become characteristic
of northern Etruria and, in particular, the areas of Volterra and Arezzo; in these areas
the human fi gures are rendered in a frontal position and stand with the arms folded
in front in a “Hittite pose,” or some female fi gures have their hands on their breasts or
grasp the ends of their braids, all of them displaying Near Eastern infl uences. As far as
the subjects are concerned, the earliest examples represent in ideal form male and female
worshippers identifi ed according to their specifi c social positions. The men in particular
are represented with a display of their male features, but essentially as warriors (for
example, the so-called “gladiators” from Volterra and Arezzo) (Figure 57.1a), and belong
to societies organized around the military chieftains, while the women have clothing
representing their high rank (Figure 57.1b).^4
The presence of this kind of ex voto statuettes is sporadic and occasional in southern
Etruria and Latium. Beginning in the fi fth century bc analogous production in terracotta
develops in these areas, probably through infl uences from Magna Graecia.^5
Throughout the span of noteworthy diffusion of bronzes in the central and northern
regions of Etruria and in the Po valley we see a change in the image of the worshippers.
In fact, in the middle of the sixth century bc, they appear as a nude kouros or a kore dressed
in a tunica, tutulus, and calcei repandi (tunic, conical headdress and shoes with upturned
toes); towards the end of the sixth century bc there is added an offering in the right
hand or prayer position with the arms along the body and the hands outstretched. In
addition to the nude kouroi, fi gures of athletes appear with a display of physical qualities:
these images of the worshippers in heroic nudity tend to disappear in the Classical and
Hellenistic periods.^6
During the Hellenistic period we fi nd a series of worshippers (Figure 57.2), in both
Etruria proper and in areas under Etruscan infl uence, that were produced from the third
century bc to the Early Empire:^7 the male fi gures, characterized by a wreath crown of a
Figure 57.1a–b Armed worshipper (late seventh century bc). Arezzo, Museo Archeologico Nazionale
Mecenate. Inv. no. 11495 (Photo Tavanti, Arezzo). Female worshipper (600–575 bc). Arezzo, Museo
Archeologico Nazionale Mecenate. Inv. no. 11501 (after Maetzke 1987, 187).