Attilius Regulus, from Roman Heroes 1535

"Attilius Regulus", a 1535 engraving by German artist Georg Pencz, depicts the brutal execution of the Roman general, Attilius Regulus. The image portrays Regulus, who was captured by the Carthaginians during the First Punic War, being rolled in a barrel studded with nails, ultimately leading to his death. Pencz's meticulous depiction of the scene is a powerful testament to the harsh realities of ancient warfare. The artwork is a poignant example of the Renaissance interest in Roman history and the use of printmaking to disseminate such stories to a wider audience.