The blind Belisar as beggar.
The blind Belisar as an example of the sudden fall from honour and glory to poverty and distress inspired not only Rembrandt but also several artists from the 17th to the 19th century. The contemporary historians report that Belisar was dismissed by Justinian because of envy and distrust and that he died in poverty. Details about his blinding can be found only in an epic of the 12th century. A report is given about the different gruesome techniques of blinding that existed during the centuries of Byzantine empire.
Jaeger
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D001766:Blindness / Q000266:history*; D049691:History, Medieval; D006801:Humans; D014104:Torture