Heliodorus Driven from the Temple

This engraving after Raphael’s Vatican fresco depicts the dramatic moment of divine intervention against the profanation of the Temple. In the background, the High Priest Onias is seen praying at an altar, while in the foreground, Heliodorus is trampled by a celestial horse as a crowd of women and children watch in terror. The scene is framed by massive classical arches that emphasize the architectural grandeur and sanctity of the holy site.

The Temple of Jerusalem represents the archetypal 'Sanctum Sanctorum' or inner sanctum in the Western esoteric tradition, serving as a model for the Temple of Wisdom in Rosicrucian and Masonic thought. This specific narrative from 2 Maccabees highlights the divine protection of sacred space and the 'talenta' (treasures) of the spirit against worldly encroachment.