Etruskan and Hittite mythologies.
In Etruria, in sacred city the god (whose name is transferred differently: Velthuna, Vertumna? Velthina) was esteemed. Sometimes him is considered as chthonic form of Tin or the god of a nature circulation (Nemirovsky, 1983). The Romans inform an interesting history, as a certain demon in the wolf image wanted to escape from the underground world and to devastate vicinities of sacral Etruscan town, but hardly he has raised a cover of well as immediately was tired out back. (Raschinger E, 1992, vol. 1, p. 44). Romans names a demon of Olt (Olta), but Raschinger believes that in Etruscan this name was Veltha , that can be identically mentioned chthonic Vertumn, 'the main god of Etruria'. Relieves on some funeral urns give fines illustrations to this myth to one of the few it is clean Etruscan plots, known to us in writing. We see a monster that is getting out from well. More often it looks like the shaggy wolf though one relief shows it with a smooth body and as though a horse head. There are variants, that depict Olt/Veltha in an image of the person with a head of the wolf and even is simple in the wolf mask. The monster is surrounded with people which are taking place in the strongest excitement. They try to jostle it back in well or to constrain, having covered with a circuit. One person has already fallen Veltha victim. On one variant it is possible to see the most popular Etruscan goddess Vanth , messengeress of death, likes Greek furies, and typologically - Scandinavian Valkyrie , Slavic vilas, Baltic veles and etc. (Genetically all of them occur from the Great Goddess).
The given plot puts before us some questions. On the one hand, the root 'vel' connected with the world dead, belongs to the God of Earth Powers. Besides Vertumn was the main god of this city (that is the main god of priests). With another - the wolf traditionally is the opponent of the God of Earth Powers and is connected with the God of Thunder. And the motive of chaining of the wolf by means circuit likes the Scandinavian myth about World Wolf Fenrir. Probably we deal with inversion when contrasts converge - the God of Earth Powers in Etruscan myth got features of the wolf, and the God of Thunder in the Scandinavian and Hittite myths has driven about on a chariot with the rams and the bull accordingly. For the benefit of that Veltha is the God of Earth Powers, speaks also the image on Etruscan cista from Preneste. The Minerva (the Etruscans esteemed her also) which whether helps, whether prevents the naked baby to leave at the weapon from an amphora. Near to the baby it is written 'Mars'. About Mars/Maris it was already spoken in connection with Scythian culture. Now it is necessary to add, that the Roman Mars was considered also as the god of arising year (Vertumn was gods nature circulation). There is also small winged figure, reminding role Vanth on one of the relieves representing a history about Olt.
The legend about Olta. (A. Fantalov, water-colour, 2001).
The Etruskan created an important and Indo-European tradition. However, as their texts, Etruskan miths are not known for us. But the legend about Olta (Pliny). When some monstr let the Underworld, it was going to destroy sacral town Volsiny, but it was stopped. Various depictions have contained in Etruskan art. Olta -Roman transcription of name, that in Etruskan was Veltha. Veltha is related with Veles ( Slav mythology 2. ), Vels (Balt mythology) and Vala ( Indian mythology 2 ).
There is Etruskan goddess Vanth also.
The traveling of soul. (A. Fantalov, water-colour, 2001).
The Etruskan were spared great attention for the traveling of soul in the Underworld. The dead soul, like a litlle human figure is riding on a fantastical animal.A winged goddess Vanth (who was very venerated by Etruskans) drive this animal. Vanth likes valkiries (Scandinavian mythology) and she was protector of souls. On the contrary, a daemon of the death Haru (with wood hammer) was embodiment of evil power of the Underworld. Daemon Tuhulka (with bird head) and the beast are related with theme also.
The myth about Illuyanka. (A. Fantalov, water-colour, 2001).
This myth is a Hittite variant theme of fighting the God of Thunder against the World Serpent, like Thor and Ermungand ( Scandinavian mythology2 ) Indra and Vritra (Indian mythology), Zeus and Tithon (Greek mythology).
The Hittite God of Thunder was defeated by the Serpent Illuyanka and lost his heart and eye. In order tu give back his power, the god married on a daughter of some man. When their son grown up, he in his turn married a daughter of Illuyanka. As a dowry, the god's sohn took hearth and eyes and gave these his father. Then the God of Thunder gave back his power, he defeated Illuyanka by means lightning.
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