Etruscan hypogeum (burial chamber) in Tarquinia, Italy
For the moon also designated Orcus I, see Vanth (moon).
The Tomb of Orcus (Italian: Tomba dell'Orco), sometimes called the Tomb of Murina (Italian: Tomba dei Murina), is a 4th-century BC Etruscanhypogeum (burial chamber) in Tarquinia, Italy. Discovered in 1868, it displays Hellenistic influences in its remarkable murals, which include the portrait of Velia Velcha, an Etruscan noblewoman, and the only known pictorial representation of the daemon Tuchulcha.[1] In general, the murals are noted for their depiction of death, evil, and unhappiness.[2]
Because the tomb was built in two sections at two stages, it is sometimes referred to as the Tombs of Orcus I and II; it is believed to have belonged to the Murina family, an offshoot of the EtruscanSpurinnae. The foundation is inscribed with the following inscription:
Orcus I was built between 470 and 450 BC (perhaps by a man named Leive; see below);[4] a separate hypogeum, Orcus II, was built c. 325 BC. At some point in antiquity the wall between the two was removed, creating a large tomb with two dromes (entrances).[5]
The tomb was excavated in 1868 by an officer of the French Army.[6][7] Upon its discovery, the excavator mistook the painting of a cyclops for the Roman god Orcus (see below), hence the name "Tomb of Orcus". The Italian name (Tomba dell'Orco) can also mean "Tomb of the Ogre", and it is used that way in Italy today.
The second tomb has never been fully excavated.[6][8]
Murals
Though most of the walls are muraled, the artists did not complete the ceiling.
ochre, orpiment, calcite, copper, and Egyptian blue.[9] While the artwork in Orcus I is highly praised (particularly the painting of Velia Velcha; see below), some of the artwork of Orcus II is considered poorly done.[2]
It is likely that the French excavators of the tomb tried to remove some of the murals for exhibition in the Louvre, which resulted in significant deterioration.[6]
Orcus I
The Tomb of Orcus I (also known as the Tomb of Velcha) was constructed between 470 and 450 BC. The main and right walls depict a banquet, believed to be the Spurinnae after their death in the
The banqueters are surrounded by demons who serve as cupbearers.
One of the banqueters is a
noblewoman named Velia Velcha (or by some interpretations, Velia Spurinna), whose portrait has been called the "Mona Lisa of antiquity".[11][12] Her realistic profile (especially her eye) bears the influence of Hellenistic art.[2] Unlike the Mona Lisa, however, she is noted for her grimace or sneer.[2]