Pedestal of the same relief (two branches) 

This print by Giovanni Battista Piranesi captures a relief teeming with classical symbols. A winged figure dominates the scene, reminiscent of Eros or Victory, holding what seems to be a globe encircled by a serpent, a potent symbol of cosmic power and healing. Consider the serpent, an emblem deeply entwined with the caduceus of Hermes, traversing through time from ancient Mesopotamia to modern medicine. Here, the winged figure's gesture suggests a divine offering, a transfer of knowledge or power. Flanking this central figure, we see the stoic presence of Athena, goddess of wisdom and warfare, anchoring the scene with her helmet and spear. Above, eagles soar—symbols of imperial authority and divine messengers. These motifs, deeply ingrained in the collective unconscious, resonate with our primal understanding of power, wisdom, and the eternal dance between life and death. They speak to a deep-seated yearning for order and meaning.