I'm sure theres a tonne of art-wank metaphorical baggage to go along with this. But I simply see it as a zoetrope about beating the shit out of babies.. Which I think is something was can all appreciate. :)
I like how in a lot of classical art, if it was in the bible you're clear, so they're plenty of depictions of the beheading of Holofernes and such. The fall of Rome is fair game too, so this is EDUCATIONAL murder of babies.