Tomb of the Blue Demons

Dated: mid 5th century BC.

Accidentally discovered in 1985, this tomb represents the oldest scene related to the Underworld. The side walls illustrate the journey of the deceased to the Underworld. Depicted.
The decorative scheme, beginning at the entrance, depicts the journey of the deceased towards the afterlife on the two side walls, culminating in a depiction of a symposium in the Elysian Fields on the back wall, with the couple at the centre.
In the paintings, the Greek ferryman Charun is depicted for the first time in Etruscan art. Unlike the frightening Etruscan demons of later depictions, Charun is portrayed as the Greek ferryman who navigates the souls of the dead across the blue waters of the Acheron, using a long oar to guide his red boat.
The name of the tomb derives from the presence of strange blue-skinned demons: one of them, with a grotesque face and bearded snakes wrapped around his arms, is seated on a rock, while another, the psychopomp demon (guide of souls), is holding the deceased by the hand and leading her to the afterlife.
A last monstrous, winged being with blackened flesh and a bloodied mouth is leaping forward with outstretched arms and clawed hands towards the newcomers.
On the left wall inside the entrance, the deceased is represented on his final journey towards the afterlife: standing on his biga, a chariot pulled by a pair of horses, he is moving forward followed by two dancers.
In front of the procession, a naked young cupbearer, next to a table set with food, introduces the banquet scene painted on the back wall.
There are four couples of guests reclining on the klinai (banquet couches), with the central couple depicting the tomb owner and his wife, portrayed as they tenderly caress each other.
On the right wall is a grandiose scene set in the afterlife, introduced from the left by the suggestive image of Charun and a veiled woman and a young boy who, having just landed on the banks of Hades, advance greeted by other characters.

The Etruscan Tombs

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