Issued Barley Instead of Wheat [first version] (John Beaver, Roman Military Punishments, 1725)

Issued Barley Instead of Wheat [first version] (John Beaver, Roman Military Punishments, 1725) is a detailed etching by William Hogarth, created during the period between 1725 and 1779. This print belongs to a class of historical illustrations detailing specific aspects of classical military discipline, likely serving as a plate for a published text on Roman practices. The work captures a stark moment of public degradation, focusing on the historical practice of issuing barley rations rather than the standard wheat to soldiers who had committed serious offenses, a powerful form of military punishment intended to shame the transgressors before their peers.

The composition places the scene within a defined military environment, utilizing the subjects of men and tents to establish the setting of a Roman camp. Hogarth’s mastery of the etching technique allows for a clear, documentary style, sharply delineating the figures and the somber atmosphere surrounding the enforcement of discipline. The focus is not on violence, but on the systematic humiliation inherent in the punishment, illustrating the rigor of ancient army regulations.

As an example of Hogarth's early forays into historical illustration, this print provides valuable insight into the 18th-century European scholarly interest in ancient military codes and organizational structure. The etching medium was essential for circulating such images, making information accessible far beyond specialized academic circles. This work, classified as a print, remains an important artifact within the graphic arts and is preserved in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.