Battle between Heraclius and Chosroes (detail) 1466

This is a detail from Piero della Francesca's fresco, *Battle between Heraclius and Chosroes,* painted in the Basilica of San Francesco in Arezzo. Painted during the early Renaissance, the fresco depicts a 7th-century battle between the Roman Empire and the Sasanian Empire. In Renaissance Italy, visual representations of conflict often served complex ideological purposes, reflecting contemporary political tensions and aspirations. Look at the diverse figures. In their faces and poses, can we see a reflection of Renaissance society's own complex tapestry of identities and social strata? How are power dynamics expressed through the contrast between the armored soldiers and the more vulnerable, less protected figures? Does this maintain traditional representations of warfare? Ultimately, this work invites us to consider how historical narratives are constructed and how they reflect the values and perspectives of both the artist and their society. It's a portrayal of power and vulnerability, rendered with a certain detachment that allows us to contemplate the human cost of conflict across time.