The statue called The Orator is also known as L'Arringatore, Aule Meteli or Aulus Metellus. The sculpture was made out of bronze during the late second or the early first century BCE and is an Etruscanwork of art. Aulus Metellus was an Etruscan senator in the Roman republic, originally from Perugia or Cortona. The Aulus Metellus sculpture was found in 1566 with the exact location being debated, but all sources agree the sculpture was found either in or around Lake Trasimeno in the province of Perugiaon the border between Umbria and Tuscany, 177 kilometers from Rome.
Description
The statue of Aulus Metellus is 179 cm in height. The statue wears a toga exigua, consisting of a short sleeved tunic underneath a close fitting toga, slung over the left arm and shoulder while leaving the right arm free for movement. The hem starts over the left ankle and heads diagonally upwards to above the right calf. The statue also wears a pair of boots called calceus senatorius. This type of foot wear was worn by senators and high ranking magistrates and it was distinguished by the red leather. The Aulus Metellus statue stands in a contrapposto pose with one leg supporting the bulk of the statue's weight. The statue's mouth is open to express that he is speaking with his eyes fixed forward. The hair of the statue is cut short and combed to the left. The statue has its left arm resting at its side with the hand raised and opened slightly, while the statue's right arm is stretched out, bent at the elbow, its palm open and the fingers spread out.
Inscription
On the Aulus Metellus statue there is an inscription written in the Etruscan language. The inscription reads “auleśi meteliś ve vesial clenśi / cen flereś tece sanśl tenine / tu θineś χisvlicś” Auli Meteli, the son of Vel and Vesi, Tenine.
Purpose
The Aulus Metellus statue was made for the purpose of a votive offering. A votive offering is an object given to any god of a panhellenic religion as payment for the successful fulfillment of a prayer. This object could be anything from a handmade effigy or, if the giver of the offering is wealthy, a commissioned statue. This idea of the statue being a votive offering is debated, and some historians say the statue was an honorary statue intended for public viewing rather than an offering to the gods. There is some debate about the family that originally owned the statue and the socioeconomic status of said family. Spivey and other sources state that the Aulus Metellus statue belonged to a wealthy family due the statue being made out of expensive materials and the level of craftsmanship present in the statue. Shiell states the Aulus Metellus statue belong to a more average Roman family.
