Zenobia Surrounded by Mounted Soldiers n.d.

Justus van Egmont sketched "Zenobia Surrounded by Mounted Soldiers" using graphite, likely in the mid-17th century. Our eye is drawn to Zenobia, the Queen of Palmyra, surrounded by soldiers, as much a signifier of power as of her captivity. Throughout history, the motif of the defeated monarch has served as a potent symbol, a reminder of fortune's fickleness, recurring in Roman triumphs to Renaissance tapestries. Consider, for instance, the depictions of captured kings in ancient reliefs. The captured Zenobia resonates with the figures of defeated leaders brought before Roman emperors; a demonstration of power over adversaries. The horse, a recurring symbol of power and nobility, is here subverted. These once-noble steeds now serve as emblems of subjugation, their riders instruments of Zenobia's downfall. This image engages our collective memory, stirring deep-seated emotions connected to triumph and defeat. The story of Zenobia continues to echo through time, reminding us of the cyclical nature of history.