Greek Myth and Etruscan Imagery in the Tomb of the Bulls at Tarquinia

Abstract

Any evaluation of Etruscan art must include a balanced appraisal of both local creativity and the influence of Greek myth and iconography. Previous studies of the frescoes in the Tomb of the Bulls at Tarquinia have emphasized the influence of Greek iconography to the detriment of local creativity, but this attitude is dependent upon mistaken identification of important details in the Troilos scene. A motif usually dismissed as an incompetently drawn plant is identified as a representation of the setting sun. This cosmic body refers not only to the involvement of Apollo in the Troilos story, but also to local religious beliefs; in consequence it constitutes evidence for the creative reuse of Greek myth by an Etruscan artist. It is shown that the representation of the incident in the fresco closely corresponds to its treatment in the Kypria, and it is suggested that the artist received his inspiration directly from Greek literary sources rather than from imported vase-paintings.