DOI issue:
Obsah
DOI article:Germ, Tine: A curious collection of curious deaths in Theatrum mortis humanae tripartitum by Johann Weichard Valvasor: context, sources, invention
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.52446#0059
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Job. cap. 41.
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Fig. 3: Johann Koch, The Death of Vestal Oppia, J. W. Valvasor,
Theatrum mortis humanae tripartitum, 1682,p. 151.
Fig. 4: Johann Koch, The Death of Agasp, J. W. Valvasor, Theatrum
mortis humanae tripartitum, 1682,p. 165.
of the notable Roman statesman Cato Uticensis, is
set in an open landscape, although the young woman,
who committed suicide by swallowing live coals, died
at home, by an open fireplace (JVheatrum mortis, 143,
see fig. I).* * * * * 33 A similar slip can be observed in the im-
age of the suicide of Seneca (JTheatrum mortis, 139).
Koch sets the scene with the philosopher, who eut
his veins in a bath of hot water, in the open air, in
front of architectural scenery of classical appearance,
and also includes Emperor Nero, who witnesses
Seneca’s death with his retinue. As regards historical
accuracy the illustration is entirely false, because the
philosopher committed suicide at home, in a close
circle of his nearest friends and family.34 Bishop Ar-
ius (JTheatrum mortis, 127), who died of dysentery in
the very heart of Constantinople, not far away from
she supposedly put the snake on her breast and to the idea
of the privacy of the event. Koch’s queen, almost completely
nudě, holding a snake in her hand and standing outdoors in
full view, is an iconographie novum without any proper con-
tent-related justification.
33 According to historical sources, Porcia swallowed live coals
from her home fireplace after her friends had prevented her
from committing suicide with a sword and then kept watch
lest some dangerous gadget might come into her hands to
enable her suicide. The story is told by Valerius Maximus
(Facta et dieta memorabilia, IV, 5, 6) and Martial (Epigramata, I,
42) among others. It is also mentioned by Plutarch in his Ufe
of Brutus (Bioiparálleloi [lat. l/zto parallelae\, Marcus Brutus,
53), but he doubts it is true. Valvasor refers to Plutarch and
Martial but does not eite the source in the former case, and
in the latter case he erroneously notes that the story is found
in Martial’s letters.
34 Valvasor quotes as his source The Twelve Caesars by Suetonius
(De Vita XII Caesarum, Nero, 35).
57
Teipfum cnftum cuftodi.
1. '/?;«. cap. $.
fytit říó fcíbcr íxettfčfj.
I. lim. c.
AM-
^itft$íct»líc6c Xobtfrgtaffitng* ifo
Repurgabitcnim quafipaleasferrum,& quafilignum
putridHm,æs. Job.cap.41.
(Er tet 11 Wie ©troí? / wib 2(eríj wie failli
Job. cap. 41.
X3 BASI-
Fig. 3: Johann Koch, The Death of Vestal Oppia, J. W. Valvasor,
Theatrum mortis humanae tripartitum, 1682,p. 151.
Fig. 4: Johann Koch, The Death of Agasp, J. W. Valvasor, Theatrum
mortis humanae tripartitum, 1682,p. 165.
of the notable Roman statesman Cato Uticensis, is
set in an open landscape, although the young woman,
who committed suicide by swallowing live coals, died
at home, by an open fireplace (JVheatrum mortis, 143,
see fig. I).* * * * * 33 A similar slip can be observed in the im-
age of the suicide of Seneca (JTheatrum mortis, 139).
Koch sets the scene with the philosopher, who eut
his veins in a bath of hot water, in the open air, in
front of architectural scenery of classical appearance,
and also includes Emperor Nero, who witnesses
Seneca’s death with his retinue. As regards historical
accuracy the illustration is entirely false, because the
philosopher committed suicide at home, in a close
circle of his nearest friends and family.34 Bishop Ar-
ius (JTheatrum mortis, 127), who died of dysentery in
the very heart of Constantinople, not far away from
she supposedly put the snake on her breast and to the idea
of the privacy of the event. Koch’s queen, almost completely
nudě, holding a snake in her hand and standing outdoors in
full view, is an iconographie novum without any proper con-
tent-related justification.
33 According to historical sources, Porcia swallowed live coals
from her home fireplace after her friends had prevented her
from committing suicide with a sword and then kept watch
lest some dangerous gadget might come into her hands to
enable her suicide. The story is told by Valerius Maximus
(Facta et dieta memorabilia, IV, 5, 6) and Martial (Epigramata, I,
42) among others. It is also mentioned by Plutarch in his Ufe
of Brutus (Bioiparálleloi [lat. l/zto parallelae\, Marcus Brutus,
53), but he doubts it is true. Valvasor refers to Plutarch and
Martial but does not eite the source in the former case, and
in the latter case he erroneously notes that the story is found
in Martial’s letters.
34 Valvasor quotes as his source The Twelve Caesars by Suetonius
(De Vita XII Caesarum, Nero, 35).
57