Pope Leo repulses Atilla from the gates of Rome and points to Saints Peter and Paul overhead 1670 - 1718

Giuseppe Maria Mitelli made this engraving, Pope Leo repulses Atilla from the gates of Rome and points to Saints Peter and Paul overhead, at an unknown date. During Mitelli’s time, printmaking was deployed as a tool for the wide distribution of political and religious messages. In this print, Mitelli depicts the moment when Pope Leo I supposedly persuaded Attila the Hun to withdraw from Rome in the 5th century. This event became a symbol of papal authority and divine intervention, especially potent during the Counter-Reformation. We see Pope Leo pointing towards the sky at Saint Peter and Paul who carry swords, ready to protect Rome. Attila and his soldiers are dismayed and frightened. But look closer, and we may wonder about the narrative of power at play. This isn't just a story about religious might; it's a depiction of cultural identity, of Rome defending itself against the perceived "barbarian" invader. What does it mean to portray Attila, a figure from a different ethnic and cultural background, as the enemy, and how does this image contribute to the construction of Western identity? This print invites us to reflect on the stories we tell ourselves about who we are and who we fear.