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Title
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Battus in einen Stein
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Description
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This engraving illustrates the story of Mercury and Battus. Mercury had stolen a herd of cattle from Phoebus, who is illustrated sitting on the left-hand side of the image playing his seven-reeded pipe. The only person to have witnessed the theft was old shepherd named Battus. Mercury had promised Battus a cow in exchange for his silence. Battus agreed to keep the theft a secret, however, Mercury tested Battus’ word by disguising himself and asking him about the robbery and promises him a cow and a bull for the information. Battus tells the stranger that Mercury had stolen the cattle, unknowing that the stranger is in fact Mercury. Mercury punishes Battus for betraying him and transforms him into touchstone. Battus is illustrated in the middle of the engraving with the lower half of his body already transformed into stone.
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Image Creator
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Virgil Solis (Engraver)
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Identifier
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mta:21058
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Source Name
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P. Ouidij Nasonis, deß Sinnreichen und hochverstendigen Poeten, Metamorphoses oder Verwandlung, mit schönen figuren gezieret, auch kurzen Argumenten und außlegungen erkläret, und in Teutsche Reymen gebracht, durch Johann Spreng von Augspurg [Publius Ovidius Naso, the Ingenious and Highly Understandable Poet, Metamorphoses or Transformations, Adorned with Beautiful Images, and also descriptions of Short Arguments and Explanations, Brought into German Rhymes by Johann Spreng of Augsburg]
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Image
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mta_21058_OBJ.jpg
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Subject
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Transformation
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Gods
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Betrayal
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Greek Mythology
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Roman Mythology
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Battus
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Mercury
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Phoebus
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Apollo
mta_21058_OBJ.jpg