Secondary sourcePainting19th century
Tomyris Plunges the Head of Cyrus into Blood
Alexander Zick · 19th century
A 19th-century painting by Alexander Zick imagining Queen Tomyris's revenge on the dead Cyrus the Great.
This 19th-century image continues the legend of Cyrus's death at Queen Tomyris's hands.
About this source
What it is
This is a painting (known through an engraved reproduction) by the 19th-century artist Alexander Zick. It shows a woman in a veil and long robe holding a severed head over a vessel while armed warriors with shields and spears crowd around her.
Why it matters
Like other artworks on this theme, it illustrates the ancient story of Queen Tomyris taking revenge on Cyrus the Great after his death, as recorded by Herodotus. Created many centuries after Cyrus's lifetime, it shows how the dramatic legend of his death continued to inspire artists well into the 19th century, long after the historical details could be verified.
Why it matters
Look closer
- How does this image compare to other depictions of the same story, such as Mattia Preti's painting?
- What might the artist want viewers to feel about Tomyris and about Cyrus's fate?
- Why do you think this particular legend of Cyrus's death was retold so often in art?
This painting is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Cyrus the Great on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.
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