Out of this hall we pass into the _Sala della Pace_, originally called the _Sala dei Nove_, where the Nine met during that most glorious epoch in Sienese history when they held sway. In 1337 they appointed Ambrogio Lorenzetti to decorate their meeting-place with allegorical frescoes. We see the master's signature, _Ambrosius Laurentii de Senis_, under the great fresco--the first of the series--on the wall opposite the window. Here on our left is Justice, enthroned as Queen, inspired from above by the crowned genius of Celestial Wisdom. Over her head is the text from the _Wisdom of Solomon_, which Dante's spirits of righteous rulers formed in that sixth sphere of Paradise that is swayed by the celestial Dominations: "Love righteousness, ye that be judges of the earth." On her right and left respectively, the Angel of Distributive Justice crowns one and beheads another, the Angel of Commutative Justice gives weapons to one and money to another. At her feet sits Concord, a beautiful woman upon whose brow rests the pentecostal tongue of fire; she holds two cords that proceed from the scales of Justice, uniting the twenty-four citizens who pass in procession to the feet of the Commune of Siena. This is represented by a majestic old man, richly clothed in robes that show the black and white of the republican shield, royally crowned. The mystical cord of union is attached to his sceptre, and in his other hand he holds an image of the Blessed Virgin, whom the Sienese had chosen for their Sovereign Lady. He sits above the Wolf and the Twins. Faith, Hope and Charity hover above his head; Prudence and Fortitude, Magnanimity and Temperance are his assessors. Beyond them, on the right of the throne, reclines golden-haired Peace, in her clinging white robe; and on the left, Legal Justice sits, with a crown and a severed head on her lap. Around are steel-clad warriors, horse and foot--the armed forces of the Republic--while to the gate of the city men come offering "censi, tributi e signorie di terre," as one of the verses of the inscription, which is probably Ambrogio's own, puts it; prisoners are led in in fetters, and others are rigorously kept excluded--for the mediaeval mind can hardly conceive of good government without _fuorusciti_.