Gezicht op Frankfurt am Main tijdens de verovering door Gustaaf II Adolf van Zweden, 1631 1631 - 1650

This engraving by Matthäus Merian, made around 1631, captures Frankfurt am Main during its conquest by Gustav II Adolf of Sweden. Observe the flags held high by the Swedish troops; these aren't mere cloth on poles but potent symbols. Flags, as emblems of power, have ancient roots. From the Roman standards bearing the eagle to medieval banners displaying heraldic beasts, they’ve rallied troops and staked claims. Even earlier, in ancient Egypt, flags denoted distinct regions or nomes, each with its own deity and identity. The Swedish flags here signify not just military victory but a clash of cultures and beliefs. This act of claiming territory and planting flags is about dominance, deeply rooted in our collective memory and primal instincts. These symbols are charged with a potent psychological energy, engaging viewers on a visceral, subconscious level. The image itself, as we stand here viewing it, becomes a stage upon which the narratives of history—and indeed, of human nature—play out. The flag continues its cyclical journey, resurfacing and evolving, ever potent in its symbolic weight.