---
title: Mussolini on horseback with the 'Sword of Islam', flanked by two Libyan fasces-bearers, Tripoli, March 1937
url: https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/mussolini-sword-of-islam-tripoli-1937/
description: Mussolini sits on a horse in Tripoli with a sword held upright at his shoulder; in front of him two Libyan men in cloaks and caps carry bundled fasces…
section: Collection
---

[Collection](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/)

**Content note:** Photograph of Mussolini on horseback in colonial Libya with Libyan men carrying fasces. This object is shown as it was published. [Why](https://propagandaarchive.org/about/#as-it-was)

[![Mussolini on horseback with the 'Sword of Islam', flanked by two Libyan fasces-bearers, Tripoli, March 1937](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/mussolini-sword-of-islam-tripoli-1937.jpg)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/mussolini-sword-of-islam-tripoli-1937.jpg)

# Mussolini on horseback with the 'Sword of Islam', flanked by two Libyan fasces-bearers, Tripoli, March 1937

Mussolini sits on a horse in Tripoli with a sword held upright at his shoulder; in front of him two Libyan men in cloaks and caps carry bundled fasces over their shoulders like lictors. Commons describes the sword as the Sword of Islam. An Islamic emblem and Roman state iconography are placed around one figure in a single frame, borrowing the standing of each for him.

## Text on the object

Checked for printed text

No printed or legible text on this object.

Checked against the committed image: no captions, signs or lettering are visible in the frame.

[← 新生活運動標語彙編 (Compilation of New Life Movement Slogans), page of the president's own slogans](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/new-life-movement-slogans-1937/) ["Credere Obbedire Combattere": a school group photograph, Mirandola, 1938 →](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/credere-obbedire-combattere-mirandola-1938/)

## Using the same techniques

- [Bronze sestertius of Gaius (Caligula), reverse S P Q R P P OB CIVES SERVATOS in an oak wreath](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/sestertius-caligula-ob-cives-servatos-0037/) (Roman Empire · 0037 · Testimonial, Transfer)
- [Gold coin of Kanishka: King of Kings legend, king at the altar, deity Oesho](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/gold-dinar-kanishka-king-of-kings-0130/) (Kushan Empire · 0130 · Transfer)
- [Gold solidus of Justinian I, reverse VICTORIA AVGGG with Victory holding a Christogram staff](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/solidus-justinian-i-victoria-avggg-0538/) (Byzantine Empire · 0538 · Transfer, Glittering generalities)
- [Bayeux Tapestry, scene 23: UBI HAROLD SACRAMENTVM FECIT VVILLELMO DVCI](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/bayeux-tapestry-harold-oath-to-william-1070/) (Kingdom of England · 1070 · Transfer, Card stacking)
- [Mughal gold coin of Jahangir, dated 1028 AH, with a bull inside a ring of sun rays](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/jahangir-gold-zodiac-coin-sun-rays-1619/) (Mughal Empire · 1619 · Transfer)
- [Frontispiece to Eikon Basilike, The Pourtraicture of His Sacred Majestie in his Solitudes and Sufferings (Hollar, 1649)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/eikon-basilike-frontispiece-hollar-1649/) (Dutch Republic · 1649 · Transfer, Glittering generalities)
- [Consult of the doctors on the grave illness of the Grand Sultan (Consult vande medicijnen inde swaere siekte vanden grooten Sultaen)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/consult-of-the-doctors-sick-sultan-antwerp-1683/) (Spanish Netherlands · 1683 · Transfer, Bandwagon)
- [The Highlanders Medley, or The Duke Triumphant (A Loyal Song)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/highlanders-medley-duke-triumphant-1746/) (Great Britain · 1746 · Name-calling, Transfer)