Karel V neemt Tunis in en bevrijdt de christenslaven 1535

This silver medal, made by an anonymous artist, commemorates Charles V's capture of Tunis. In 1535, Charles V, as Holy Roman Emperor, led a military campaign against the Ottoman Empire. His victory in Tunis was portrayed as a triumph over Muslim forces and the liberation of Christian slaves. The medal reflects the religious and political tensions of the time, where the war was not only a territorial conflict but also a clash between Christianity and Islam. One side shows a portrait of Charles V, while the other depicts the freeing of enslaved Christians. How does this depiction of the freed slaves feel to you? Are they active participants in their own liberation, or simply passive recipients of Charles's supposed benevolence? Ultimately, this medal serves as a reminder of the power dynamics, cultural biases, and the human cost of war.