Eca sren. Gli Etruschi e l'iconologia nel noto specchio volterrano con Eracle figlio di Uni

The present work aims to revisit the analysis of a well-known mirror from Volterra, showing an image of Uni breastfeeding an adult and bearded Heracles. Often examined by researchers, mostly regarding the relationship between this find and Greek literary sources, the mirror is here re-assessed from a new perspective, aiming to shed light on the mechanisms of image creation by the Etruscans, while leaving aside the details of semantic exegesis within this class of mirrors. In fact, the mirror represents the most eminent example of 'figured bilingualism', in which the image is accompanied by a complex inscription written on a ‘tabella’, the focal point in the overall structure of the representation. The meaning of the scene is already clarified by the inscription made by the Etruscan craftsman, as is the profound iconological value that the Etruscans ascribed to the representation of this subject. By dispensing with the need to interpret the scene, characteristic of the iconological analysis approach, it is possible to fully examine and appreciate the mechanisms behind the construction of the image in this precious/unique find from Hellenistic Etruria.