Barbarians hail the emperor (CXIV); Germans and Sarmatians are brought across the Danube by ship (interpreted differently by Guerra; CXV) 1544 - 1618

Giovanni Guerra created this pen and brown ink drawing during a time when European societies were grappling with questions of identity, power, and cultural exchange. Guerra worked in Rome during the late Renaissance and early Baroque periods, a melting pot of artistic and intellectual ferment shaped by the Catholic Church's efforts to reinvigorate its influence after the Protestant Reformation. The drawing depicts scenes of subjugation and tribute. In both scenes, the bodies and gestures of the 'barbarians' versus those of the Roman figures present a clear power dynamic. The drawing captures the Roman obsession with conquest and assimilation, portraying foreign people as both exotic and subservient, reflecting the Roman's view of themselves as a superior civilization. Consider how Guerra’s own identity as an artist working for wealthy patrons and the Church would have informed his perspective. This drawing is not just a historical record, but a reflection on the cultural biases and power structures of the time, inviting us to think critically about how different cultures are represented.