Book XXX.45. Scipio returns to Italy, Syphax is given a public funeral {Tertiae Decadis Liber Decimus p. CLXXXII verso} 1493

Curator: Here we have an intriguing anonymous print titled "Book XXX.45. Scipio returns to Italy, Syphax is given a public funeral." Editor: The scene certainly strikes a somber, though celebratory, tone. The procession, rendered in stark lines, conveys a sense of both gravity and triumph. Curator: Indeed. The imagery, though simplified, speaks volumes. The victorious general contrasted with the solemn funeral underscores complex Roman values. Notice the flags and instruments, their meanings have shifted over time. Editor: And the way the anonymous artist visualizes power and ceremony is really interesting. The composition invites a debate around the role of spectacle in shaping public memory. Curator: Yes, it's a potent visual record of historical narrative. Editor: Absolutely, and it makes me reflect on how we continue to grapple with the legacies of power and representation. Curator: A great meditation on triumph, grief, and the enduring power of symbols. Editor: It leaves me thinking about the relationship between commemoration and the construction of history.