Book XXX.37. Scipio speaks to people of Carthage {Tertiae Decadis Liber Decimus p. CLXXXI verso} 1493

Curator: This is a page from an unknown book, titled "Book XXX.37. Scipio speaks to people of Carthage." Editor: It feels stark, almost theatrical with the speaker elevated and spot-lit by those arched windows. Curator: The image depicts a man, likely Scipio, addressing a crowd. Note how the artist differentiates him, perhaps reflecting his power? Editor: Absolutely. The symbols of authority—the gesture, the platform—they all point to a very specific kind of dominance. It seems to me that we're looking at a visual assertion of control. Curator: Consider, too, the context of this image. Who had access to books? Whose stories were deemed worthy of illustration? Power dynamics are at play. Editor: I agree. The imagery reveals how power was not only wielded but also visually constructed and circulated. It makes you wonder about the message the artist wanted to convey. Curator: This helps us to think about how the story was told, and for whom. Editor: Indeed, the symbolism offers a look into cultural memory.