TRAJAN’S COLUMN

Clonkeen College
The Emperor Trajan
Trajan’s Empire
TRAJAN’S COLUMN
 Only well-preserved piece of Trajan’s
Forum (AD 100-112).
 Originally stood between 2 libraries, one
Greek and the other Latin.
 Dedicated in AD 113.
 Almost 100 feet (30m) high.
 Carved band is wound round column
shaft for 215 yards.
Plan of Roman Fora
Model of Trajan’s Forum
Trajan’s Market
Views of Trajan’s Market
Computer Image of Forum
Computer Image of Column’s Location
Functions of Trajan’s Column
 It recorded the height of the earth dug
out to the east, in the construction of
Trajan’s Forum.
 It was a showcase for Trajan’s exploits.
 After Trajan’s death the Senate decided
it was a fitting resting place for his
ashes (though Trajan never intended
this).
Computer Image of Column
Showcase for Trajan’s Exploits
 Column presented a constant reminder
of Trajan’s virtus.
 Virtus means fortitude and courage. It
summed up all the glorious aspects of
the emperor’s character.
 By extension the column represented
the the successes of the state.
General View of Column’s Location
Trajan’s Column as Document
 It records the campaigns and victories of
Trajan over the Dacians in the First (101/102)
and Second (105/106) Dacian Wars in the
Danube valley.
 Historical reliefs on slabs, set horizontally on
vertical walls, were already known e.g Ara
Pacis (13-9 BC) and Arch of Titus
(c. AD 81)
Column Today
Technical Aspects of Column
 Nearly 100 feet high.
 Reliefs carved on hollow drums of marble,
placed one on top of other to form column.
 Reliefs are in a band that winds upward in a
spiral.
 Height of frieze is 3 ft at bottom increasing to
nearly 4 ft near the top. This counteracts the
distance and angle of vision.
 Figures cut in relief with about 2 inches
between the original surface and background.
General View of Trajan’s Column
The Column’s Narrative
 First sections set the scene. Landscape of
Lower Dacia. Roughly made houses and
boats of Dacians. River Danube acting as
border of the region.
 First active scene. Roman soldiers, carrying
their gear on their shoulder, cross Danube on
pontoon bridge. Great detail in dress and
equipment. River god looks on.
Panels on the Column
Column and Some Scenes
The Column’s Narrative 2
 2,500 figures shown.
 Details abound e.g. unit insignia.
 Generic or stock themes repeated.
 Good spatial definition…background
features markedly reduced.
 Trajan himself appears.
The Column’s Narrative 3
 Battle scenes and sieges depicted.
 Trajan addressing his troops.
 Dacian enemies treated with respect
e.g. leader Decebalus’ suicide.
 Very few images of gods.
The Column as Propaganda
 Sculptors’ style was intended to make
the narrative clear.
 Virtues of army and emperor were very
important.
 Propaganda message took precedence
over accurate details.
 Best example of Roman historical relief.