The fight between the Horatii and the Curiatii in an arena surrounded by spectators. Engraving after Giulio Romano, 1541.

Identified by Salamanca as the combat between the Horatii and the Curiatii as narrated by Livy. In Roman history or myth, the Horatii were triplet brothers who fought as champions against the triplet Curiatius brothers, in order to decide the outcome of a war between their respective cities, Rome and Alba Longa (Albano). After two of the Horatii were killed the surviving Horatius killed all three Curiatii However, that does not apear to be the scene depicted here, in which the figures are derived from two Roman sculptures (Massari, loc. cit.)