Hannibal and the Punic Wars – Antique Battle Woodcut with SPQR Banner

Description

An antique woodcut depicting a close infantry battle, with German text about Hannibal printed on the reverse.

Two opposing groups of soldiers confront each other with long pikes, creating a dense pattern of intersecting weapons across the foreground. Fallen figures emphasise the intensity of the encounter. A prominent banner on the right bears the inscription SPQR, while the opposing standard displays an animal’s head.

Beyond the combatants, ranks of soldiers extend into a landscape of hills, trees and fortified buildings. Feathered headwear, elaborate clothing and armour present ancient warfare through the visual language of the Renaissance.

The reverse carries German text in Gothic type discussing Hannibal, his father Hamilcar and Hasdrubal, with references to Carthage, Spain and Hannibal’s early military career. This provides a connection with Carthaginian history and the context of the Punic Wars. The specific battle depicted on the front has not been identified, and no individual figure is identified as Hannibal.

Offered as a German-school woodcut, provisionally dated to the 16th century. The artist, source publication and edition remain unidentified, and the precise date of this impression is unconfirmed. The sheet appears to have been trimmed from an illustrated historical volume.

DETAILS

Technique: woodcut printed in black ink on paper.
Subject: infantry battle with an SPQR banner.
Reverse: early German printed text concerning Hannibal.
Proposed origin and period: German school, 16th century, subject to confirmation.
Sheet dimensions: 15.5 × 13.3 cm.
Image dimensions: 14.2 × 12.1 cm.