Laran, the Etruscan War God

So I’m wrestling with the variation in Roman depictions of Mars and wondered if maybe looking to Etruscan iconography might help. Here’s a round up. I’ll add more as I find images.

Youthful, shoulder length hair, clean shaven, heroically nude with lap drapery, spear, boots, shoulder strap for sword, helmet devoid of plumage, fancy boots

Wikimedia image with incomplete citation, but showing from left to right shows: Laran, Thalna, Menrva, Tinia, Uni and Maris Tiusta, probably c. 400-200 BCE

Older, bearded, helmet with visor, large crest and tail plume, small, neck guard, curaiss and cloak, sword in hand, barefoot

Wikimedia image taken by Nancy De Grummond, from Populonia in Florence museum, c. 400 BCE. Laran left, Celsclans right. [alternate image]

No helmet, full curly hair above collar, cloak, spear, clean shaven, heroically nude, barefoot

Wikimedia image with incomplete citation, but showing from left to right shows: Thesan, Turms, Mariś Isminthians, Menrva, Mariś Husrnana, Turan, Laran, Amatutunia, Mariś [Halna above] [Hercle below]

No helmet, full curly hair above collar, lap drapery, clean shaven, heroically nude, boots, no weapon

Villa Guilia, c. 300-270 BCE, Left to Right: Aplu, Menrva, Turan, Laran

No helmet, full curly hair down to collar, cloak, clean shaven, heroically nude, boots, sword

BnF (Paris). c. 300 BCE. Left to Right: Aplu, Menrva, Turan, Laran

helmet with suggestion of a crest, but mostly obscured by wreath border of composition, full curly hair to shoulders, lap drapery, clean shaven, heroically nude, boots, no weapon

Florence: Left to right: Laran (Ares), Turan (Aphrodite), Helen (Elinai), Paris/Alexander (Elaxsatre) [further images of same object are on wikimedia commons]

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