Prusias II, King of Bithynia, Reduced to Begging

This image seemingly offers a conflicting visual message. The crown upon the man's head denotes his royal status, yet the walking stick and rucksack suggest a destitute state. Both are true since Prusias, once the rich and powerful ruler of Bithynia, was deposed by his son and reduced to begging. This punishment from God repaid Prusias for his violation of the laws of hospitality during the Second Punic War. The Carthaginian general Hannibal had asked Prusias for protection against the Roman army, but Prusias betrayed him.