Caesar Defeats the Troops of Pompey from The Story Caesar and Cleopatra c. 1680

This tapestry, woven by Geraert Peemans, depicts Caesar’s triumph over Pompey. Here, laurel wreaths crown the victors, a symbol echoing Apollo, divinity of triumph and intellectual enlightenment. These wreaths—a potent visual element—are far more than mere decoration; they are a claim to immortality. Think back to ancient Greece, where laurel wreaths were awarded at the Pythian Games, connecting athletic and intellectual prowess. The gesture transcends time. We see it echoed in Renaissance portraits, where rulers sought to link themselves to the glory of Rome. Consider how Napoleon adopted laurel wreaths, crafting his image as an emperor. The image surfaces repeatedly as the collective memory of power and victory. The intense, almost theatrical emotion conveyed in the composition engages viewers on a subconscious level. Consider the way the artist used classical symbols in different historical contexts, with their meanings evolving and adapting. This tapestry encapsulates the cyclical recurrence and adaptation of cultural memory.