Aplu (Apollo)

Artist Vulca of Veii (?)

Date ca. 510 BCE

Movement Etruscan

Medium Terra cotta

Height 5’9″

Housed at Museo Nazionale di Villa Guilia, Rome

Roofs of Etruscan temples were often graced by sculptures, such as the one seen here. Though stylistically similar to Archaic sculptures from Greece, the key difference is the motion that is displayed here. Aplu appears to be in a quick stride—something unseen in the rigid poses of its Greek counterparts. Strong, deep lines display the god’s musculature and strength.