Book IX.24. Roman army met by a deserter from Sora who informs them how to take the city {Primae Decadis Liber Nonus p. LXXIX} 1493

Editor: This is an anonymous woodcut print, "Book IX.24. Roman army met by a deserter from Sora who informs them how to take the city." The stark black and white lines give it a sense of immediacy. What symbols do you see at play here? Curator: The deserter, offering information, isn't just a plot device. He's a visual symbol of internal conflict, mirroring the city's vulnerability. His posture, the offering in his hands…it’s loaded with meaning. What emotions do these symbols evoke for you? Editor: I see desperation, maybe? And a betrayal of trust. Curator: Exactly. Notice how the Roman soldier remains stoic, almost detached? This contrast highlights the tension between order and chaos, loyalty and treachery, themes deeply embedded in Roman history. The visual language speaks volumes. Editor: So the image isn't just about the event, but the underlying ideas? Curator: Precisely. It’s a cultural memory, visually encoded. I never thought about it that way. Thanks!