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Description: | some characters not clearly formed DS 113 46
obverse design : ass, Buridan's, symbolising Rumania, standing, facing left between two heaps of straw. The larger heap,
on left, has the German flag planted on it, the smaller heap, on right, has a flag planted on it bearing the letters "RF"
obverse text : "DER.ESEL.BURIDANS"
reverse design : crenellated ornamental edge surrounding central rectangular beaded panel which encloses four lines of embossed
text
exergue : ".W. EBERBACH. 1916"
reverse text : ".DEN.BEDENKLICHEN RUMAENEN GEWIDMET.1916."
In this 1916 piece German sculptor and engraver Walther Eberbach makes satirical comment on the vacillations of neutral
Rumania by reference to a parable attributed to the French Scholastic philosopher Jean Buridan (1300-1358). An ass moved equally by thirst
and hunger was put equidistant between a bundle of hay and bucket of water. Unable to choose between them it died of hunger and thirst. By
contrast, Buridan argued, man has effective freedom of will. In the obverse design Rumania is cast in the role of the mule, unable to
decide between siding with Germany or the Entente. The letters 'RF' on the smaller heap of straw stand for 'Republique Française'. The
obverse text is translated as 'Buridan's ass'. The reverse text is translated as 'The doubtful Rumania commemorated'.
Rumania eventually entered the war on the side of the Allies on 27 August 1916. An ill-timed and unfortunate decision, as she was by
January 1917 overrun and defeated by the combined forces of the Central Powers. | Publisher: | http://www.iwm.org.uk | Subjects: | satirical Neutrality of & 1914 = 1916 First World War & Rumania | Source: | Imperial War Museum | Creator: | Eberbach, Walther | Identifier: | http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/o... | Go to resource |
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