Menrva

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The Judgement of Paris on an Etruscan bronze mirrorback, 4th-3rd century BCE (Louvre). Menrva is seen as second character from the left
The Judgement of Paris on an Etruscan bronze mirrorback, 4th-3rd century BCE (Louvre). Menrva is seen as second character from the left

Menrva (also spelled Menerva, Merva and Mera) was an Etruscan goddess of war, art, wisdom and health.

She was seen by the Etruscans as their counterpart to Greek Athena and to Roman Minerva. Like Athena, Menrva was born from the head of her father, Tinia. However, Menrva has some unique traits that makes it clear that she wasn't an import from Greece. She is often depicted as a lightning thrower (and Martianus mentions her as one of nine Etruscan lightning gods) and seems to have been associated with weather phenomena, something that Athena wasn't. [1]

Her name is indigenous to Italy and might even be of Etruscan origin, although that has been disputed. [2] Her name has the "mn-" stem, linked with memory.[citation needed] See Greek "Mnemosyne" (gr. μνημοσύνη) and "mnestis" (gr. μνῆστις): memory, remembrance, recollection.

She was often depicted in the judgement of Paris (or Elcsntre as he was called in Etruscan), one of the most popular Greek myths in Etruria. She is also commonly seen as the protector of Hercle and Pherse. [3]

Menrva was part of a holy triad with Tinia and Uni, later reflected in the Roman Capitoline Triad of Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva.

[edit] References

  1. ^ de Grummond, Etruscan Myth, Sacred History and Legend, page 71
  2. ^ de Grummond, Etruscan Myth, Sacred History and Legend, page 71
  3. ^ de Grummond, Etruscan Myth, Sacred History and Legend, page 76
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