De Sophonisba regia numidie · Centre for Early Modern Visual Culture

Title: De Sophonisba regia numidie
Subject: Sophonisba; Important Queens; Devotion; Masinissa; Important Women
Period: 1450-1500;
Geographic: Modern day Algeria; North Africa; Numidia
Description: Masinissa, the King of Numidia is depicted on the right side of the engraving speaking with a man named Laelius. Laelius is depicted pointing at Masinissa as he reproaches him for marrying a captive of the Romans. We know that these figures are Masinissa and Laelius as the creator engraved their names written as Masmissa and Lelius above their heads. Not able to disobey Laelius, Masinissa ordered a servant to give Sophonisba, his wife, a cup of diluted poison. Sophonisba is depicted on the left side of the engraving willingly drinking the poison. The servant in front of Sophonisba looks astonished at how willfully she drank the poison. We know that the woman depicted in the engraving is Sophonisba as her name is engraved above her head.
Image Creator: Anonymous (Engraver)
Type: Text; Woodcut Engraving
Identifier: mta:12199
Language: lat
Source Name: De Claris Mulieribus
Parent Collection: 1473 Ulm
Image: mta_12199_OBJ.png