De Semiramide regina affiriorum · Centre for Early Modern Visual Culture

Title: De Semiramide regina affiriorum
Period: 1450-1500;
Geographic: Assyria; Mesopotamia
Description: This engraving illustrates Queen Semiramis of the Assyrians lying in bed while having sexual relations with her son, Ninyas. We know that these figures are indeed Semiramis and her son, as the creator engraved their names above the bed to identify them. There is a statue sitting on a platform on the right side of the engraving which appears to be a king. The statue is in fact Semiramis, who had a substantial military career and took part in many battles. The three almost naked women that are illustrated in front of the bed represent the women who Semiramis was afraid of. She was afraid that they would desire her son and take her away from him. Semiramis is said to have invented the chastity belt to avoid anyone having sexual relations with her son. The women are illustrated with undergarments on, which is suggested to be the chastity belts.
Image Creator: Anonymous (Engraver)
Type: Text; Woodcut Engraving
Identifier: mta:11903
Language: lat
Source Name: De Claris Mulieribus
Parent Collection: 1473 Ulm; 1473 Ulm
Image: mta_11903_OBJ.jpg
Collection: Early Modern Women
Subject: Ninyas; Incest; Semiramis; Queens