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Roman bireme with crocodile on the stern
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Roman bireme with crocodile on the stern
Bireme with crocodile and heads carved on the stern, from a basrelief in the Temple of Fortuna Preneste. Copperplate engraving by Pietro Ruga after an illustration by Lorenzo Rocceggiani from his own 100 Plates of Costumes Religious, Civil and Military of the Ancient Egyptians, Etruscans, Greeks and Romans, Franzetti, Rome, 1802
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Media ID 23200254
© Florilegius/Mary Evans
Battering Bireme Carved Crocodile Fortuna Lorenzo Pietro Plates Rocceggiani Rudder Ruga Spear Basrelief
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EDITORS COMMENTS
1. Title: "A Roman Bireme with a Crocodile on the Stern: A Symbol of Power and Victory" This image is a copperplate engraving of a Roman bireme, a type of ancient warship, adorned with a crocodile on its stern. The print is based on a bas-relief discovered in the Temple of Fortuna Preneste, an ancient Roman temple located in present-day Palestrina, Italy. The engraving is the work of Pietro Ruga, after an illustration by Lorenzo Rocceggiani, published in his comprehensive collection of 100 Plates of Costumes Religious, Civil and Military of the Ancient Egyptians, Etruscans, Greeks and Romans, in 1802. The bireme, a two-banked galley, was a formidable warship of the Roman navy. The ship's bow is depicted as sharp and pointed, with a battering ram at the very front, ready to inflict damage on enemy vessels. The rudder, a crucial component for steering, is clearly visible at the stern. The oars, used for propulsion, are shown in a raised position, indicating that the ship is either underway or preparing to engage in battle. The stern of the ship is where the most intriguing detail is found: a large crocodile, a symbol of power and victory, is carved into the wood. The crocodile's open jaws are adorned with the heads of defeated enemies, possibly representing the Romans' conquests. The presence of this fearsome creature on the stern would have instilled a sense of awe and intimidation in the minds of the enemy. This engraving is not only a testament to the advanced naval technology of the ancient Romans but also a reminder of their military prowess and the symbolic significance of the crocodile as a powerful and victorious symbol.
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