Marcus Curtius te paard 1586 - 1596

This anonymous engraving from the late 16th century depicts the Roman hero Marcus Curtius riding a horse. Curtius is famed for his selfless sacrifice, where he rode into a gaping chasm in the Roman Forum to appease the gods and save Rome. The artist has chosen to portray him dramatically, with the horse rearing up and Curtius pointing a sword as he faces an unseen enemy. The engraving is a testament to the enduring power of ancient Roman mythology and heroism, a subject that continued to inspire artists throughout history.