Basilica van Maxentius

The print depicts three massive, crumbling vaulted arches of an ancient Roman structure, with dense vegetation growing from the tops of the walls. In the foreground, large octagonal fragments of coffered stone and other architectural debris lie scattered among the dirt, while small figures of travelers or pilgrims wander through the cavernous interior. The scale of the human figures emphasizes the monumental proportions of the Roman ruins.

This print reflects the Renaissance obsession with the 'ruin' as a symbol of the transience of worldly power (sic transit gloria mundi) and the archaeological search for sites linked to biblical history. The inscription specifically identifies the site as the location where the spoils of the Temple of Solomon were kept, bridging the gap between Roman imperial history and the sacred antiquities that fascinated Western esoteric thinkers.