Laran Facts for Kids

For other uses, see Laran (disambiguation).

Quick facts for kids Laran
Underworld God of War
A statuette of the god Laran, depicted with traditional armour and a helmet.
Symbol	Cuirass, shield, sword, and lance
Consort	Turan
Greek equivalent	Ares
Roman equivalent	Mars

Laran (sometimes called Larun) was an important god in Etruscan mythology. The Etruscans were an ancient civilization in Italy before the Romans. Laran was known as their god of war. He was often shown as a strong young man wearing a helmet and cuirass (body armor). He carried weapons like a spear, shield, or lance.

Laran had several important roles. Besides being a war god, he also helped keep peace. Some experts believe he protected borders, as seen on ancient stone markers called cippi found in Bettona. These markers had inscriptions like tular Larna, meaning "boundary of Laran." Laran was also one of nine Etruscan gods who could control lightning.

The Etruscans celebrated a special festival for Laran. We know about this from an ancient text called the Tabula Capuana. This festival took place on the Ides of May, which was around the middle of May. Laran was very similar to the Greek god Ares and the Roman god Mars.

For a long time, some historians thought another Etruscan figure named Marís might have been the god of war. This was because the name Marís sounded a bit like the Roman god Mars. However, new discoveries and studies have shown that Laran was indeed the true Etruscan god of war.

Laran was sometimes seen with another Etruscan god named Lurs. These two gods were often linked together, even in very ancient times.

Laran: The Etruscan God of War
See also

Laran: The Etruscan God of War

How Etruscans Honored Laran

The Etruscans honored their gods, including Laran, in special ways. Priests would sometimes prepare meals for the gods. These meals were placed in everyday dishes. An ancient inscription suggests that special meals were made to honor Laran.

Other inscriptions also show that people actively worshipped Laran. For example, one inscription on a vase mentions a connection between Lurs and Laran. It suggests that the vase was an offering to Lurs, who was connected to Laran.

As mentioned, the Tabula Capuana tells us about Laran's festival. This important celebration happened around the middle of May. The Tabula Capuana also shows that Laran's name could be spelled as Larun.

Laran in Ancient Etruscan Art

We can learn a lot about Laran from Etruscan artworks. Artists often showed him with his special items, like his helmet or spear. Sometimes, his name was even written next to him. Unfortunately, most Etruscan stories and books have been lost. So, we often try to understand these art scenes by comparing them to Greek and Roman myths. We also use clues from other Etruscan artworks.

Famous Art Scenes with Laran

Laran appears with Turms and a young, long-haired god named Tinia on a mirror found near Orvieto. Laran holds a spear and has his hand on a shield, which has a sun-like design.
Another Etruscan mirror shows Laran with several other gods: Leinth, Turan, and Menrva. In this scene, Laran stands behind Menrva, holding a spear and wearing a cloak. Two baby figures, called Mariś, are also present.
A mirror from Populonia (now in Florence) shows Laran in battle. He is fighting against a giant named Celsclan. Celsclan was believed to be the son of the earth goddess Cel.