Plate 29: Civilis Floods the Land by Defensively Breaking the Dikes, from The War of the Romans Against the Batavians (Romanorvm et Batavorvm societas) 1611 - 1612

This etching by Antonio Tempesta, titled "Plate 29: Civilis Floods the Land by Defensively Breaking the Dikes, from The War of the Romans Against the Batavians (Romanorvm et Batavorvm societas)," depicts a scene from the Batavian revolt against the Romans. It is one of 29 plates in Tempesta’s 1611-12 series of etchings chronicling the revolt, a crucial moment in Roman history. The image portrays the Batavian leader Gaius Julius Civilis strategically flooding the land to overwhelm the Roman army, capturing the chaos and bloodshed of the battle. The detail in the etching, with the soldiers grappling in the floodwater, highlights the impact of the tactics and the brutality of the conflict. The work serves as a valuable historical record, offering insights into the military strategies, costumes, and weaponry of the Roman and Batavian armies.