Officer of Mounted Infantry, Greece, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This chromolithograph was produced by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company, and it depicts a Greek officer. Notice the yataghan sword at his side, a symbol of authority and martial prowess. This curved blade, popular in the Ottoman Empire and surrounding regions, signifies not just military might, but also a complex cultural exchange. The yataghan is reminiscent of the ancient scimitar, seen in Persian and Central Asian art. Over centuries, the scimitar evolved, its curve deepening, its symbolism intertwining with notions of Islamic heroism and power. Even today, we see echoes of its form in ceremonial swords, a lasting imprint on our collective memory of leadership. The image evokes feelings of romanticism, a time when the exoticism of the Orient captured the European imagination, blending admiration with a touch of fear. Symbols like this connect us to deeper cultural narratives, constantly transforming and re-emerging.