description Piacenza Liver Overview
The Piacenza Liver is an Etruscan bronze model of a sheep's liver, generally dated to the second century BCE and discovered near Piacenza in northern Italy. Its surface is divided into anatomical and celestial sections and bears the names of deities in the Etruscan language. Scholars interpret it as a teaching or reference object connected with haruspicy, a form of divination in which priests read the liver of a sacrificed animal. The artifact is held by the Civic Museum of Piacenza.
help Piacenza Liver FAQ
What is the Piacenza Liver made of?
The Piacenza Liver is a bronze model of a sheep's liver. It is an Etruscan religious object whose surface is divided into anatomical and celestial sections.
When was the Piacenza Liver made?
The object is generally dated to the second century BCE. It was discovered near Piacenza in northern Italy.
What do the inscriptions on the Piacenza Liver represent?
The surface bears the names of deities in the Etruscan language. The divisions connect the liver's symbolic anatomy with celestial and religious interpretation.
Why is the Piacenza Liver important to Etruscan studies?
It is one of the most important surviving examples of Etruscan divination material. Its bronze liver form and deity inscriptions show how religious knowledge was organized in Etruscan culture.
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