Plate 117: The Dispute over Achilles' Armor (Disceptatio inter Aiacem et Ulyssem propter arma Achillis), from Ovid's 'Metamorphoses' 1606

Antonio Tempesta created this engraving, Plate 117: The Dispute over Achilles' Armor, as part of his illustrations for Ovid's 'Metamorphoses.' In this scene, we are dropped into the aftermath of a great loss - the death of Achilles. The central conflict revolves around identity, legacy, and the shifting sands of power. The armor of Achilles, more than mere battle gear, symbolizes his unmatched prowess and status. The contest between Ajax and Ulysses isn’t just about who gets the armor, but about whose values and virtues will be memorialized. The cultural context of the 16th and 17th centuries, when Tempesta worked, was a time of rigid social hierarchies. This image invites us to reflect on how societies decide who is worthy of honor, and what qualities are deemed most valuable. Are such decisions ever truly fair, or are they always tinged with the biases of those in power?