The Roman antiquities, t. 4, Plate I. Cover Page. Over a large cylindrical pillar decorated with a high relief with figures of sacrificing, the title in embossed letters. 

This etching by Giovanni Battista Piranesi is the cover page for volume four of his series "Le Antichità Romane" (Roman Antiquities). Published in Rome, the series documented ancient Roman architecture and ruins, using Piranesi's signature dramatic and fantastical style. The plate depicts a large cylindrical pillar adorned with a high-relief sculpture, showcasing figures engaged in a sacrificial ritual, reflecting the series' focus on Roman history and culture. The inscription in embossed letters highlights the volume's contents: ancient bridges, ruins of theaters, porticoes, and other monuments of Rome.