This painting was created at the end of the French Revolution and symbolizes its desire for political reconciliation. David uses a story from classical Rome to show that two opposing factions must find a peaceful solution and end the bloodshed. Unlike David's earlier works (such as the 1784 Oath of the Horatii), a woman is now the central figure and the one with the will and ability to overthrow the state through the power of her emotion. The naked children between the two opposing male figures are vulnerable, and the women seem to be asking the men to think of the children and their suffering. Just like the children and everyone suffered during the revolution and David wants them to stop (David, The nd). The painting dates from 1799, the year the revolution ended ("United States",