The Severan Septizonium on the Via Appia 1641

Curator: This engraving, "The Severan Septizonium on the Via Appia" by Giacomo Lauro, depicts a ruined Roman monument. I'm struck by the stark contrast between the imposing structure and the figures scattered about the landscape. What narrative do you find embedded within this image? Editor: It seems like it's showing a story of power and decay, doesn't it? The Septizonium stands tall, but it's also clearly incomplete, juxtaposed with people walking among the ruins. What does this ruin symbolize in relation to ideas of power and gender, perhaps? Curator: Exactly. Consider how the monument, likely built by Septimius Severus to assert his power, is now a fragment. Who benefits from its ruin, and whose stories are erased? The decline of such structures often mirrors shifts in societal power dynamics, particularly regarding gendered or racialized access to resources and historical narrative. Editor: That's fascinating. I never thought about ruins in terms of who benefits from the changed landscape. Curator: By analyzing these historical sites through the lens of contemporary theory, we can reveal the ongoing power struggles embedded within our cultural landscape. Editor: I'm beginning to see this image as more than just a historical record; it's a statement about how power shifts.