Semiramide der weitberümpten keiserin von Assyria · Centre for Early Modern Visual Culture

Title: Semiramide der weitberümpten keiserin von Assyria
Subject: Semiramis; Important Women; Important Queens; Famous Women; Ninyas; Incest
Period: 1500-1550;
Geographic: Assyria; Mesopotamia
Description: This engraving illustrates Queen Semiramis of the Assyrians lying in bed while having sexual relations with her son, Ninyas. There is a statue sitting on a platform to the left of the bed 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 women on the right side of the image represent the women who Semiramis feared. 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.
Image Creator: Joerg Breu (Engraver)
Type: Text; Woodcut Engraving
Identifier: mta:18246
Language: ger
Source Name: Ein schöne Cronica oder Hystoribuch von den fürnämlichsten Weybern [A beautiful chronicle or history book of reputable women]
Parent Collection: 1543 Stayner
Image: mta_18246_OBJ.jpg