What is the history of Etruscan god Maris?

Maris was the Etruscan god of youth and plants, and was equivalent to the Roman god Liber and the Greek god Dionysus. Maris is often depicted as a young and beautiful man with long, flowing hair, wearing a wreath of ivy or vine leaves and carrying a thyrsus, a staff wrapped in ivy and topped with a pine cone. He is also sometimes shown riding in a chariot pulled by animals such as tigers, panthers, or lions.

The Etruscan god of youth and plants was closely associated with wine and fertility. He was often invoked in rituals to promote the growth of crops and to ensure a bountiful harvest. Maris was also believed to have the power to protect young people from harm and to help them grow into healthy and strong adults.

In Etruscan mythology, Maris was said to have been born from the union of the god Tinia and the goddess Uni. He was raised by the nymphs of the forest, who taught him the secrets of nature and how to cultivate crops. When Maris grew up, he became the patron of the Etruscan people and taught them how to make wine and grow crops. He was also said to have given them the gift of music and dance.

The worship of Maris was widespread in Etruria, and he was one of the most important gods in the Etruscan pantheon. Temples dedicated to Maris were built in many Etruscan cities, and he was often invoked in prayers and rituals. The Etruscan god of youth and plants was also honored with festivals and celebrations, which often involved drinking, dancing, and singing.

The cult of Maris continued to thrive in Etruria until the Roman conquest in 27 BC. After the Romans conquered Etruria, the worship of Maris was gradually replaced by the worship of Roman gods, such as Liber and Bacchus. However, the Etruscan god of youth and plants continued to be remembered and honored in folklore and literature.