De Rhea Ylia nestali virgine · Centre for Early Modern Visual Culture

Title: De Rhea Ylia nestali virgine
Subject: Rhea Ilia; Remus; Romulus; Roman Mythology; Important Women
Period: 1450-1500;
Geographic: Alba Longa; Italy; Rome
Description: The vestal virgin Rhea Ilia is depicted on the left-hand side of the engraving, lying in a bed and looking distraught. We know that this is Rhea as her name is engraved above her head. She has a saddened expression on her face as she had just given birth to twin boys named Remus and Romulus who were forced to be exposed. Boccaccio explains that as a vestal virgin, she was forbidden from becoming pregnant. Her son’s Remus and Romulus are depicted on the right-hand side of the engraving being exposed through the window. Remus's name is engraved at the top right-hand corner and Romulus’ name is at the bottom right-hand corner. There are wolves surrounding Romulus as the mother wolf ends up raising the boys as her own. Rhea is buried alive for her punishment.
Image Creator: Anonymous (Engraver)
Type: Text; Woodcut Engraving
Identifier: mta:11952
Language: lat
Source Name: De Claris Mulieribus
Parent Collection: 1473 Ulm
Image: mta_11952_OBJ.jpg