Archaeological Museum of Bologna

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Collections / Sections / Etrusco-Italic collection

Worship

In ancient places of worship and also in a large area of pre-Roman Italy, it was common to leave the divinity an object, originally perhaps some personal item, to implore a favour or in thanks for a received favour (ex-voto). The custom progressively developed into the offering of precise symbolic objects: symbols of animal sacrifices, pots used to present the WORSHIP
In ancient places of worship and also in a large area of pre-Roman Italy, it was common to leave the divinity an object, originally perhaps some personal item, to implore a favour or in thanks for a received favour (ex-voto). The custom progressively developed into the offering of precise symbolic objects: symbols of animal sacrifices, pots used to present the offering, images of healed body parts (anatomical ex-voto), of the offerer or the worshipped divinity. Hence craft products evolved for cult purposes and were often produced near the sanctuaries.
This devotional practice assumed various chronological and local nuances, with the most evident being a preference afforded to bronze votives in the northern and inland area (Po Valley and northern Etruria, Umbria), and to terracotta in the centre-south (southern Etruria, Latium, Campania).

More info

The bronze figure shows Hercules with a leonté (lion skin) over his left forearm and his right arm raised to brandish a club, now missing. Like many other examples in the collection, this is one of a vast series of votive bronzes that evolved amongst the Umbrian-Sabellic populations from the end of the 6th through to the 2nd century BC, inspired by earlier Etruscan imports. The subjects are the same as those used in Etruscan production: worshippers and donors, sometimes pared down to quite schematic figurines, and depictions of the divinities, primarily Hercules, who was widely worshipped here.


This particular Hercules is attributed to a workshop located somewhere between the Marches and Abruzzo, whose products were strongly influenced by Etruscan applied arts and were widely exported, with some items reaching as far as central and northern Europe.

Provenance: Unknown origin. University Collection
Datation: 5th century BC
Material: Bronze
Inventory #: IT 1092

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Images

Exhibition rooms | Room VIII - Etrusco-Italic collection