Plate 9: Emperor Vitellus on Horseback, from 'The First Twelve Roman Caesars' after Tempesta 1610 - 1650

Matthäus Merian the Elder created this engraving of Emperor Vitellus on horseback as part of a series on Roman leaders. Merian, working in the 17th century, looked back to the Roman Empire, a society built on military might, imperial expansion, and the subjugation of diverse peoples. Here, power is asserted through the image of Vitellus, armored and elevated on horseback. Yet, there's a curious twist: the horse sports a unicorn's horn, transforming a symbol of war into something more mythical. What does it mean to recast this figure of imperial authority in a fantastic light? Perhaps Merian is inviting us to consider the stories we tell ourselves about power, and how easily history can slip into the realm of legend. Consider how the image, while seemingly celebrating Vitellus, also invites questions about the nature of leadership and the narratives that sustain it. What does it mean to see a Roman Emperor astride a unicorn?