Romerne besejrer fidenaterne 1574

Tobias Stimmer's woodcut, depicts the Romans' victory over the Fidenates. The shields bear potent symbolic weight, far beyond mere protection. The recurring circular shield, a prominent motif in this battle, echoes through history from ancient Greece to the Roman Empire, embodying defense and unity. Circular shields appear in antiquity on the battlefield. Consider how they also resurface in Renaissance emblems of familial pride. The shield evolves: from battlefield necessity to heraldic symbol, revealing our enduring need for protection and identity. Jung would say that such symbols are an externalized need of the psyche. The chaos and intense emotion captured in Stimmer's battle scene engage viewers on a subconscious level. The collective memory of conflict and triumph continues to resonate, demonstrating the cyclical progression of symbols.