Publication Title: Livy's 'History of Rome from its Foundation' 1560-1600 Woodcut in black on cream paper
110 x 150 mm.
From Livy, Icones Livianae (XXV.31). Also from Titi Livii Patavini Romanae Historiae Principis, Libri omnes, Quot quot ad nostrum altatum peruenemnt (Liber Primus). ''The city was turned over to the troops to pillage as they pleased, after guards had been set at the houses of the exiles who had been in the Roman lines. Many brutalities were committed in hot blood and the greed of gain, and it is on record that Archimedes, while intent upon figures which he had traced in the dust, and regardless of the hideous uproar of an army let loose to ravage and despoil a captured city, was killed by a soldier who did not know who he was. Marcellus was distressed by this; he had him properly buried and his relatives inquired for to whom the name and memory of Archimedes were an honour.'' Livy, Book XXV.31. One edition of Livy's 'History of Rome from its Foundation' containing this woodcut was published in 1568 by Wingandus Gallus in Frankfurt. It is unclear whether this print is from that edition
Widespread slaughter and ransacking in a partially classical townscape; foreground, centre left, a soldier with a sword attacks Archimedes whilst the latter is attempting to complete a calculation by drawing in the dust on the ground; on the left side, interior with a dog and an ornate table containing a globe and a flask; on the right side, a procession of robed figures carry a draped object on poles; middleground, figures fighting, dead bodies of horse, men and soldiers, looting of properties; background, classical townscape of Syracuse
