---
title: The Course of Empire: Destruction
author: Thomas Cole
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/11821/the-course-of-empire-destruction/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 1970-01-01
---
# The Course of Empire: Destruction
_Authored by Thomas Cole_
## Image File
[](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/11821.jpg)
## Image Caption
"The Course of [Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/empire/): Destruction" is the fourth in a series of five paintings by American painter Thomas Cole (1801 - 1848 CE). It was painted in 1836 CE and is part of the collection of New York Historical Society. The painting depicts the destruction of an ancient empire, modelled after the ancient empire of the [Mediterranean](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/mediterranean/). The subject of the painting has been suggested as the [Vandal](https://www.worldhistory.org/Vandals/) sack of [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/) in 455 CE.
## Cite This Work
### APA
Cole, T. (2020, January 31). The Course of Empire: Destruction. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Cole, Thomas. "The Course of Empire: Destruction." *World History Encyclopedia*, January 31, 2020. .
### MLA
Cole, Thomas. "The Course of Empire: Destruction." *World History Encyclopedia*, 31 Jan 2020, .
## License & Copyright
[Original image](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cole_Thomas_The_Course_of_Empire_Destruction_1836.jpg) by [**Thomas Cole**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cole_Thomas_The_Course_of_Empire_Destruction_1836.jpg). Submitted by [Arienne King](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/ava.spartan.117/ "User Page: Arienne King"), published on 31 January 2020. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Public Domain](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain). This item is in the public domain, and can be used, copied, and modified without any restrictions. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.