Trojan's Victory over the Dacians c. 16th century

Editor: This engraving, "Trojan's Victory over the Dacians" by Pietro Santi Bartoli, feels like a triumphant procession frozen in time. What do you see in this depiction of victory? Curator: The Roman imagery here is potent. Note the laurel wreath being placed upon Trojan's head – a classical symbol of victory and honour. It connects Trojan to a long line of triumphant Roman emperors, invoking a powerful sense of cultural memory. Editor: So, the symbols weren't just about a single battle? Curator: Exactly. Bartoli uses these symbols to tap into a collective understanding of Roman power and its continuity. Even the subjugated Dacians contribute, as conquered figures reinforcing Roman dominance, a recurring theme throughout Roman art and history. Victory requires a defeated "other." Does that dynamic resonate with you? Editor: It does. It's interesting how the symbols can tell a larger story. I’ll remember that.