The mouth of the Cloaca Maxima 

This engraving by Giovanni Battista Piranesi depicts the mouth of the Cloaca Maxima, Rome's ancient sewer system. The archway, a dominant feature, isn't merely an architectural element; it's a symbol of transition and the hidden pathways beneath our world. Arches echo throughout art history, from triumphal arches celebrating victory to the archways of cathedrals, gateways to the divine. Here, the arch frames the entrance to the subterranean, a reminder of what lies beneath the surface of our grandest civilizations. Consider the recurring image of the underworld, a motif present in mythology across cultures. It appears in ancient Greek tales of Hades to the depths of Dante's Inferno. Such images tap into our collective subconscious, evoking themes of purification, decay, and transformation. The sewer, often unseen and unspoken, becomes a potent symbol in Piranesi's hands. It shows how symbols resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts.