Book VII.23. Lucius Cornelius Scipio leads the younger citizens and Quaestors with standards to war {Primae Decadis Liber Septimus p. LXII} 1493

Editor: This woodcut print, "Book VII.23. Lucius Cornelius Scipio leads the younger citizens and Quaestors with standards to war," shows a scene of soldiers marching. The stark black and white gives it a very serious tone. What can you tell me about its historical context? Curator: It's interesting to consider how this image functions within a larger narrative and its role in shaping public perception of Roman history. How might the original audience have interpreted this depiction of leadership and military action? Editor: It feels like it's trying to create a sense of legitimacy, a kind of historical justification for power. Curator: Precisely. The artist, even anonymously, is participating in the construction of a particular historical narrative. Consider how the printing press itself democratized access to such narratives, yet also controlled their dissemination. It is important to ask, who funded this project? Editor: So, it's not just about the scene depicted, but also about who controlled its message and how it was distributed. I never thought about it that way before. Curator: Exactly. The intersection of art, power, and public perception is always at play.