Cautionary Tales · Stop No. 41
Roman Scorpio
“Put a Pin in It”
- Era
- Roman Republic, siege season
- Provenance
- Outside the walls, within range
- Medium
- Engraving on parchment, laurel flourishes, bolt included
- Edition
- Fired in volleys; minutes recorded by the survivors
The scorpio was Rome's precision bolt-thrower, capable of tabling a discussion at three hundred meters. A live scorpion perches on the bolt in what the engraver clearly considered a clarifying detail. The burning temple in the background indicates the agenda item was resolved.
On Display
The Gift Shop
- Museum Reproduction Tee
- Exhibition Poster