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Pope Theophilus of Alexandria on the Serapeum in 391 (5th or 6th century), from the Alexandrian World Chronicle found in the Pushkin State Museum in Moscow (inv. signature 310)
In this anonymous illustrated chronicle, this image depicts the destruction of the Serapeum of Alexandria led by Theophilus in 391 AD. Drawn on papyrus, it shows the artistic style of ancient Egypt by providing an idealized, rather than a realistic,…
Chariot Procession, from The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964)
This clip shows Marcus Aurelius receiving dignitaries from all provinces of the Empire, and from various client states. He acknowledges each dignitary in a long procession of chariots. This scene was filmed with a huge cast of actors. The procession…
Archery Competition, from Brave (2012)
Three suitors, of noble birth but otherwise unimpressive, compete for Princess Merida's hand in marriage in an archery competition. In near-legendary fashion, Merida takes a stand against the expectations imposed upon her, and to the horror of her…
The Flagellants Arrive, from The Seventh Seal (1957)
In this clip from Ingmar Bergman's The Seventh Seal (1957), a rural town in interrupted by the violent and frightful procession of flagellants -- wandering penitent Christians who believe the plague was sent by God, and that physical pain is the…
Joseph of Arimathea on his deathbed (c. 1315-1325)
This manuscript illumination from the Estoire del Saint Graal shows Joseph’s last act of entrusting the Holy Grail containing the blood of Jesus Christ to his nephew, Alain, to keep it safe and bring the Grail to England.
Genealogical roll of the kings of England, from British Library Royal MS 14 B VI
This fourteenth-century manuscript image traces the lineage of King Edward I. It is almost five meters long and the lineage goes all the way back to King Henry I and his daughter Matilda. King Richard I’s brother King John is shown holding a hawk.…
Christian Martyrs of Nagasaki (17th century)
This painting is by an unknown Japanese artist that depicts the site of the execution of 26 Christian missionaries in Japan. It occurred in Nagasaki following the passage of an edict banning Christian missionaries from Japan in 1587 and preventing…
Commodus with attributes of Helios, Apollo and Jupiter (late 2nd century AD), sardonyx cameo relief, from the Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg.
This cameo relief of Commodus highlights his attempts to portray himself as a divine figure. The relief contains elements commonly associated with Jupiter, Helios, and Apollo. In the film The Fall of the Roman Empire, as well as in history, Commodus…
Commodus as Hercules (c. 192) from Capitoline Museum, Rome MC 1120
This statue of Commodus demonstrates his obsession with portraying himself as Hercules. This particular manifestation of Commodus’ megalomania is emphasized at the end of the film The Fall of the Roman Empire, when he wears a lionskin styled after…