Mars of TodiTodi; Monte Santo areaEnd fifth century B.C.Hollow cast bronze; height 141 cminv. 13886This extremely rare example of ancient bronze statuary depicts a warrior dressed in a breastplate and leaning against an iron lance; in the act of performing a propitiatory libation with a patera before battle (the patera and the remains of the lance are currently on display in a cabinet). It is made up of parts cast separately using the lost wax technique and then soldered together; with multi-material insertions to enhance its naturalistic effect. The dedicatory inscription; in the language of the ancient Umbrians but in the southern Etruscan alphabet (ahal trutitis dunum dede) recalls that the statue was given as a gift (donum dede) by a certain Ahal Trutitis; possibly an individual of Celtic origin. Probably produced in a workshop in Orvieto (Volsinii); it displays references to Attican models from around the third quarter of the fifth century B.C.; especially in the circle of Phidias; although with generic aspects of Polycletian form. It was discovered in Todi in 1835; buried between slabs of travertine; possibly after having been struck by lightning. It was acquired by the Papal Government in 1836.Vatican Museums (Gregorian Etruscan Museum)2018