Dood van Quintus Sertorius 1798

Ludwig Gottlieb Portman created this image of the death of Quintus Sertorius. Look closely at the swords raised high, poised to strike. They are not merely weapons but symbols of betrayal and the violent end of power. The motif of a leader betrayed and assassinated at a banquet table echoes through history, from Julius Caesar to countless other fallen rulers. What primal fear does this imagery evoke? Is it a fear of treachery, of the chaos that ensues when authority collapses, or a deep-seated anxiety about the fragility of human bonds? The act of assassination, especially in such an intimate setting, speaks to the precarious nature of loyalty and the ever-present threat of violence lurking beneath the veneer of civilization. The scene is emotionally charged, triggering collective memories and subconscious anxieties about power, betrayal, and mortality. These symbols resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts.