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As history records, the Etruscans, the ancient inhabitants of present-day Tuscany in northwestern Italy, were an extremely religious people who regularly offered votive gifts in bronze or clay to their gods. Such offerings often took the form of a statuette depicting the divinity besought or the dedicator himself. The warrior figure was a popular type of offering.

The Cincinnati statuette exhibits the stance characteristic of classically inspired warrior figures from the hill country of Umbria: striding forward and holding a spear (now lost) in the upraised right arm. An identifying feature of dress is the Athenian-style helmet with its upturned cheekpieces and large, sweeping crest. The Cincinnati figure’s slender, elongated proportions and abstract anatomy impart a sense of dignity and grace.

The precise identity of such warrior figures is still unknown. They may have been meant to represent mortal soldiers or a divinity such as the Etruscan war god Maris, the equivalent of the Roman deity Mars.

Details

  • Title: Warrior
  • Creator: Unknown
  • Date Created: 5th century B.C.
  • Location: Umbria, Italy
  • Physical Dimensions: object: 10 1/2 x 3 7/8 x 2 13/16 in. (26.6 x 9.8 x 7.1 cm), mounted: 12 5/16 x 4 3/8 x 2 15/16 in. (31.3 x 11.1 x 7.5 cm)
  • Credit Line: Gift of William Baer
  • Accession Number: 1906.40
  • Type: Bronze/Sculpture
  • Medium: cast bronze

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