The Roman antiquities, t. 4, Plate LIII. Map of the menagerie of wild beasts made ​​by Domitian. 

Giovanni Battista Piranesi created this etching, "The Roman Antiquities," in the 18th century, amidst Europe's fascination with classical antiquity. Piranesi, positioned as both artist and historian, wasn't just documenting ruins, he was reimagining Rome's grandeur. This print depicts Domitian’s menagerie of wild beasts, and is less a literal depiction and more an emotional interpretation. Piranesi uses architectural representation as a stage to explore themes of power and spectacle. This menagerie, where wild animals were displayed and often slaughtered for public entertainment, speaks volumes about the Roman Empire's complex relationship with the natural world. It brings to mind how the lives of both humans and animals were impacted by the spectacle of violence. What Piranesi offers us is not merely a map, but an invitation to reflect on the echoes of history and how they resonate within our present. He prompts us to consider the relationship between power, spectacle, and the treatment of the other, be it human or animal.