 This action portrays a sense of mercy between the Romans and the Barbarians who are being defeated, and presents the Roman soldier with a choice of whether to slay his opponent or act mercifully.The central figure of the tortuous composition on the front is a young Roman military commander on horseback, presumed to represent the deceased.His face is serene, and his arm is extended confidently in a "gesture which is difficult to interpret but seems to be one of farewell".