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Title
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De Athalia regina jerusalem
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Description
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This engraving depicts Athaliah, queen of Jerusalem, executing the descendants of David. Athaliah is depicted on the left-hand side of the engraving holding a scepter and pointing. We know that this is Athaliah as her name, written as Atalia, is engraved above her head. Boccaccio explains that Athaliah’s father was the king of Israel, and her husband was the king of Jerusalem. When her husband died, and her son (who succeeded his father) died, she seized power and slaughtered the descendants of David to avoid anyone taking her power and throne. There is a man depicted with a sword who is about to execute a man, under Athaliah’s orders. There are three other men illustrated who had already been slain. There is a person in the background of the engraving carrying a child named Jehoash (his name is written as Ioash above his head). This child is Athaliah’s grandson who escaped her executions.
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Image Creator
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Anonymous (Engraver)
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Identifier
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mta:11958
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Source Name
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De Claris Mulieribus
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Image
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mta_11958_OBJ.jpg
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Subject
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Athaliah
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Important Queens
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Important Women
mta_11958_OBJ.jpg