Book IX.37. Roman servants at Sutrium tear down the ramparts and fill up the trench {Primae Decadis Liber Nonus p. LXXXI} 1493

Editor: This is an anonymous woodcut print titled "Book IX.37. Roman servants at Sutrium tear down the ramparts and fill up the trench." It looks like a very purposeful scene, with lots of sharp angles. What symbols jump out at you? Curator: The axes, prominently raised, aren’t just tools of destruction. They are icons of power and dominion, reflecting the Roman drive for territorial control and the subjugation of the conquered. Notice how the soldiers at the left bear emblems of the moon and stars. Editor: Oh, I see them! What does that mean? Curator: The celestial symbols might represent divine favor or a cosmic mandate supporting the Roman actions. The act of tearing down walls is loaded, isn’t it? It's not just physical destruction, but erasure of a culture. Editor: It's like they are destroying more than just a wall. Curator: Precisely. It reveals how symbols shape our understanding of history and power. It has been a fascinating discussion. Editor: Yes, I will never look at an axe the same way again.