The Eastern Emperor Heraclius wages war on the Persian King and, having defeated him, returns to Jerusalem with the Holy Wood. But a divine power prevents the emperor from making his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. So Heraclius, setting aside all pomp and magnificence, enters the city carrying the Cross in a gesture of humility, following Jesus Christ's example.
This was almost certainly the scene which Piero painted at the last. It is on the left wall opposite to the Battle between Constantine and Maxentius. Compared to Constantine's battle, depicted as an elegant military parade, this battle is violent and dramatic. Movement is hinted at in this composition which, at least in some parts, suffers slightly from lack of space: the bodies are crammed together in their violent struggle, the drawing that models the mass of limbs is constantly broken and interrupted, and the huge horses, rearing in fright, fill much of the scene.
A large part of the actual painting of this last story is undoubtedly the work of an assistant. The weakness of some parts, painted probably by the assistant, stands out against the master's powerful art, expressed in a few elements of absolute beauty. Among these, the most famous is certainly the figure of the trumpeter on the left.
You can view some details of the fresco.
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