The besieged Romans receive reinforcements from the other side (end of CIX, CX), the Romans on the march with the emperor; shields in boats are pulled over a bridge on ox-carts 1544 - 1618

Giovanni Guerra made this pen and brown ink drawing, depicting Roman reinforcements, sometime between the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Guerra, an Italian artist, worked primarily in Rome, where the relics of its imperial past served as constant reminders of power and civilization. This drawing, with its militaristic themes, invites us to consider the social hierarchies inherent in warfare. The artist illustrates the Roman army, highlighting the movement of soldiers and resources. Yet, the shields—symbols of defense and identity—carried on ox-carts across a bridge, transform the traditional narrative of Roman strength and conquest into a more complex story of labor, logistics, and support. The drawing serves as both a historical record and a reflection of its own time. The work reveals the emotional and physical labor of war, and the cost of maintaining an empire.