1624 Laurus (Lauro), fallen royalty to Roman Empire, fine engraving

Fine copper engraving of the various Kings, Queens, Princes, and distinguished men defeated by the Romans, and made to march as captives in the triumphs of various Roman kings, generals, and emperors. Vercingetorix, King of the Gallic Arverni, was brutally strangled in the Mamertine Prison following the conclusion of Caesar's triumph, Jugurtha, King of Numidia, was left to starve to death, while according to John Malalas, Zenobia, Queen of Palmyra, was beheaded following the triumph of Aurelian. Surrounding the figure, numerous male and female figures sit in aspects of dejection. These represent the various foreign rulers forced to accept the yoke of the rapidly expanding Roman power, from the early Italian kings of the Veii, Volsci, and Samnites, to famous kings and princes such as Perseus of Macedon, Tigranes of Armenia, Juba of Mauretania, and Eumenes of Pergamum.

Reges Reginae ac Principes et Viri Ampliss. de quibus Romani Ante Suos Currus Triumpharunt

Lauro, Giacomo ( Jacobus Laurus )

Antiquae Urbis Splendor, Hoc Est Praecipua Eiusdem Templa Amphitheatra Theatra Circi Naumachiae Arcus Triumphales Mausolea .

Romae, Apresso Vitale Mascardi, Roma, 1612-1622.

FINE ENGRAVING from one of the most influential and beautiful works on the monuments and antiquities of ancient Rome. The Antiquae urbis splendor, ('The Splendor of the Ancient City') served as an important reference book and source of inspiration for many writers and artists. Giacomo Lauro was a roman printmaker active from 1583 to about 1650. 

Leaf: 27.5 x 21 cm

No text to verso. Two minor worm holes to lower blank margin and text. Minor staining to upper right margin.