Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Histoire ancienne jusqu’à César
Belgium, ca. 1460
MS M.212 fol. 174v

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Scene, Historical: Destruction of Carthage -- Among helmeted Roman and Carthaginian soldiers, led by possibly Scipio Africanus Minor, wearing horned helmet, holding spear in left hand, all trample bodies of at least five figures, some are bleeding from wounds, some figures impaled with weapons (lances?), one holds halberd and one holds human-faced mask piercing head of figure. To right, crowned wife of Hasdrubal, wearing necklace, extends hands over her two male (?) children, all on pyre engulfed in flames (Wife of Hasdrubal: Death). In background, city of Carthage in flames. Figures and landscape painted in grisaille. Margins decorated with floreate and foliate border above and below right column, including strawberries and cornflowers, miniature within gold frame. Initial A of Au decorated with foliate and floreate ornament.