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Encyclopedia Ichnographica

Eros et Thanatos

Eros et Thanatos Ichnographia Campi Martii

Sitting atop the Vatican Hill is the Nympheum Neronis, a fountain and resting place dedicated to nymphs within the horti Neroniani. This is the far extreme of the axis of life.

At the other end there is also a Nymphaeum.

One is spelled Nympheum and the other is spelled Nymphaeum. Does this matter? Was Piranesi making a point regarding gender? We will never know.

It is clear, however, that the axis of life is embraced by nymphs, the demi-goddesses who inhabit the sea, the river, the fountains, the woods, the trees, and the mountains.

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