De Thamiri seithan regina · Centre for Early Modern Visual Culture

Title: De Thamiri seithan regina
Subject: Thamyris; Cyrus; Greek Mythology; Important Women
Period: 1450-1500;
Geographic: Modern day Iran; Central Eurasia
Description: This engraving depicts Thamyris, queen of Scythia, placing the decapitated head of king Cyrus into a bag. Thamyris’ name is engraved above her head, and Cyrus’ name is engraved beside his body at the bottom of the image. Boccaccio explains that Cyrus had invaded Scythia looking for glory, and when he had killed Thamyris’ son, she exacted her revenge by killing his entire army. When Thamyris found Cyrus’ dead body, she took his head. There are other dead bodies among Cyrus which are his men. There are Thamyris’ soldiers surrounding her, and one who is helping her put the head of Cyrus into the bag.
Image Creator: Anonymous (Engraver)
Type: Text; Woodcut Engraving
Identifier: mta:11955
Language: lat
Source Name: De Claris Mulieribus
Parent Collection: 1473 Ulm; 1473 Ulm
Image: mta_11955_OBJ.jpg
Collection: Early Modern Women
Subject: Thamyris; Cyrus; Greek Mythology; Important Women