Slag bij Pergamon before 1571

Pieter Jalhea Furnius rendered this engraving, "Battle of Pergamon," around the turn of the 17th century. It depicts a scene of intense conflict, brimming with symbols of war and civilization. The ships, siege, and close combat evoke the Trojan War. The visual formula of such scenes can be traced back to classical antiquity. Even then they are constantly re-emerging in various forms throughout the Medieval and Renaissance periods. Note how the figure on horseback, sword raised high, ready to strike, echoes the victorious hero, a motif that traverses time. This very symbol, the hero on horseback, isn't merely about conquest, but about the psychological desire for triumph over chaos, a deeply rooted need in the human psyche. We find it again and again, from ancient friezes to Renaissance paintings, each time adapted to fit the prevailing cultural narrative. The eternal recurrence of these symbols reflects our collective memory and enduring fascination with narratives of conflict and resolution.