Book XXIX.14. Publius Cornelius receives the goddess, the Idaean Mother, from all the matrons at Ostia and delivers her to Rome {Tertiae Decadis Liber Nonus p. CLXX verso} 1493

Curator: This woodcut print, "Book XXIX.14. Publius Cornelius receives the goddess, the Idaean Mother, from all the matrons at Ostia and delivers her to Rome," depicts a scene rooted in Roman history. Editor: I'm struck by how static it feels, almost like a stage play frozen in time. So much ritual, so much deliberate action. Curator: Absolutely. The print showcases the arrival of Cybele, the Anatolian mother goddess, in Rome. This event highlights the Roman Republic’s attempts to incorporate foreign cults into its religious framework, particularly during times of crisis. Editor: You know, it makes me think about how power dynamics play out in religious acceptance, even now. I mean, who decides whose gods are welcome? Whose rituals are seen as valid? Curator: Precisely. The matrons passing the goddess to Publius signifies both female agency and their limited access to official religious power. It mirrors the ways women negotiated influence within the patriarchal structures of Roman society. Editor: It's a fascinating glimpse into the past, but also a mirror reflecting our present struggles. I think I like how art can do that.