Scipio indtager Veii 1574

Tobias Stimmer created this woodcut depicting "Scipio's Capture of Veii." Look at the shields and swords clashing in the center. The act of war itself and the symbols associated with it, especially weapons, carry a heavy weight through history. We see this echoed across time, from ancient Greek depictions of warfare to Renaissance paintings and beyond. Consider the evolution of the sword, for example. Initially a symbol of defense and honor, it later transformed, taking on various cultural and symbolic meanings based on its design and ornamentation. This symbol of power can be found throughout history, from the Bronze Age through the Medieval period to modern day military and political symbolism. The collective memory of conflict and struggle affects how we engage with this symbol on a subconscious level, triggering feelings of both excitement and fear. This cyclical progression shows how potent symbols resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings.