Maris
Maris was often depicted in the form of an infant or child in Etruscan mythology. Intriguingly, two bronze mirrors feature scenes portraying Maris engaged in an immersion rite, likely aimed at securing his immortality.
Parents: Hercle
Greek Equivalent: Ares?
Roman Equivalent: Mars?
Scholars speculate that Maris may have been linked to tales surrounding the centaur Mares, a legendary ancestor of the Ausones, who underwent a remarkable triple death and resurrection. This connection suggests a complex narrative intertwining themes of mortality, rebirth, and divine lineage within Etruscan belief systems.
Moreover, Maris’s influence appears to have extended beyond Etruscan borders, potentially shaping Roman conceptions of Mars, the god of war and a central figure in Roman mythology. This interplay between Etruscan and Roman religious traditions underscores the cultural exchange and syncretism prevalent in ancient Italy.
