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Semiramis, queen of Babylon, is interrupted while dressing, by a messenger telling her of a rebellion; she takes a solemn oath to abandon her toilette until peace is restored (Valerius Maximus, 'Facta et Dicta Memorabilia'). Her hair is undone and she prepares to take up weapons. Painted c.1623–1624, when he was in close contact with the erudite Cassiano dal Pozzo, Cortona used classical architecture to define a stage-like setting embellished with rich antiquarian detail.