Plate 30: Cerialis Driving the Dutch into the Rhine, from The War of the Romans Against the Batavians (Romanorvm et Batavorvm societas) 1611 - 1612

This engraving, created around 1600 by Antonio Tempesta, captures a scene from the Roman-Batavian War, specifically, Cerialis driving the Dutch into the Rhine. The image is dominated by the chaos of battle, with soldiers and horses in disarray. Notice the central figure of Cerialis on horseback, spear in hand, a classic symbol of Roman military might, reminiscent of equestrian statues of emperors. This motif is deeply embedded in the collective memory of power and authority, echoed in countless depictions of rulers throughout history, from ancient sculptures to Renaissance paintings. The act of driving enemies into water appears in the art of many cultures, representing cleansing, or the conquering of chaos. The psychological impact of such imagery is profound. The viewer is confronted with a scene of domination and submission, triggering deep-seated emotions related to power dynamics and historical narratives. The cyclical nature of history is on display here as the same symbols re-emerge throughout time.