_Ascribed to Rinaldo Mantovano_ (Roman: early 16th century).
This and the companion picture, 644, formerly ascribed to
Giulio Romano, are now ascribed to Rinaldo of Mantua, one of
the scholars whom Giulio formed when at work in that city.
Rinaldo is mentioned by Vasari as the ablest painter that
Mantua ever produced, and as having been "prematurely removed
from the world by death."
In the upper compartment is represented the capture of New Carthage by
the Roman general, Publius Cornelius Scipio, B.C. 210. He distinguished
himself on that occasion by the generosity with which he treated the
Spanish hostages kept there by the Carthaginians. This is the subject
of the lower compartment. Among the hostages was a girl--hardly
represented here as in the story, "so beautiful that all eyes turned
upon her"--whom Scipio protected from indignity and formally betrothed
to her own lover, who is here advancing to touch the great man's hand,
and when they brought thank-offerings to Scipio, he ordered them, as we
see here, to be removed again: "accept them from me," he said, "as the
girl's dowry" (_Livy_, xxvi. ch. 50).