Ancient Rome

In the mid-ground on the left side of this image, tiny figures bow to greet Agrippina the Elder, virtuous widow of the assassinated general Germanicus. Although the citizens of Rome hailed her return, it marked the beginning of a dark period, during which the empire was ruled by tyrants: Agrippina’s son, Caligula, and grandson, Nero. Turner alludes to this tragic undercurrent, and to Rome’s eventual decline, with the presence of the moon at daytime. It hovers above the scene, even as warm sunlight spreads over the city and glimmers across the surface of the river.