An elaborate engraving shows a commemorative monument. At the top of the structure, a winged sphinx with a human female head and breasts sits on the left. It is connected by a chain to a winged lion sitting on the right. One of the lion's wings has the word "LIBERTY" inscribed upon it. Between them is a circular emblem featuring a complex knot design. The body of the monument contains multiple inset panels with text. The large central panel contains the famous "Aelia Laelia Crispis" riddle. It is surrounded by several smaller boxes containing titles and names of authors associated with various interpretations of the enigma, such as Niobe, Rain, Love, the Rational Soul, and the Philosopher's Stone. At the base of the monument, a ribbon-like scroll contains a dedication by Achilles Volta. The engraving was designed by Carlo Malvasia and executed by the engraver Jean Collin.

NIOBE

by Agathias

Scholas-

ticus

RAIN

by Marius Michael-

angelus

LOVE

by Jean Gaspard

Gevaerts

THREE

EPIT-

APHS

by Zaccaria

Pontini

THE RATIONAL

SOUL

by Richard

White

THE PHILOS-

OPHER'S

STONE

by Nicolas

Barnau-

TO THE DIVINE SHADES

Latin: Dis Manibus. This is a traditional Roman funerary dedication to the spirits of the deceased.

AELIA LAELIA CRISPIS

NEITHER MAN NOR WOMAN NOR HERMAPHRODITE

NEITHER GIRL NOR YOUTH NOR OLD WOMAN

NEITHER CHASTE NOR A WHORE NOR VIRTUOUS

BUT ALL OF THESE

CARRIED OFF

NEITHER BY HUNGER NOR SWORD NOR POISON

BUT BY ALL OF THESE

SHE LIES NEITHER IN THE SKY NOR THE WATERS NOR THE EARTH

BUT EVERYWHERE

LUCIUS AGATHO PRISCUS

NEITHER HUSBAND NOR LOVER NOR KINSMAN

NEITHER MOURNING NOR REJOICING NOR WEEPING

FOR THIS

NEITHER A STRUCTURE NOR A PYRAMID NOR A TOMB

BUT ALL OF THESE

HE KNOWS AND KNOWS NOT FOR WHOM HE HAS RAISED IT

PRIME

MATTER

by Jean

Thierry

THE

EUN-

UCH

by Nicolas

Barnaud

THE IDEA OF

PLATO

by Richard White

HEMP

by Ovidio Montalbani

original: "Canapis"

GENERATION,

FRIENDSHIP, AND DEPRIVATION

by Fortunio Liceti

The enigma, which glorious Antiquity brought forth,

Lest it should perish without honor,

Was here restored from the aged marble onto new stone

By Senator Achilles Volta.