EMPEROR OF THE DAY:

TrajanReign: 98 - 117AD

Achievements:

- second of the “Five good emperors” Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antonius Pius, Marcus Aureleus

- extended the Roman empire to its greatest land area, with victories over the dacians (Romanians).

TRAJAN’S COLUMN

112-113AD

Made of Paros Marble

In Trajan’s Forum

Architect: Apollodorus

Column+Pedestal = 38m

Column = 29.77m

Diameter = 3.7m

A circular stair way up its middle

Built to commemorate victories over the Dacians in 102+106AD

Commemorates Trajan three ways:

A statue of him atop it

The narrative of his victories

His tomb (ashes in the pedistal)

Propogandist

Trajan’s Forum included

-The column -a triumphal arch

-A basilica (great hall) -two libraries

-Trajan’s market -Temple to the divine Trajan (built by Hadrian).

-It is north of the main Roman Forum, near the Quirinal hill.

THE COLUMN (in the centre of the picture) was 38 m high and consisted of 200 m of spiraling bas-relief telling the Emperor Trajan’s exploits against the Dacians. On the top Trajan’s bronze statue must have shone in bright colors. Two libraries were built nearby and terraces were installed above the libraries to better view the work. Here from a higher angle the column embedded in the great complex of Trajan’s Forum.

The Senate and people of Rome to the emperor Caesar, son of the divine Nerva, NervATraianus Augustus Germanicus Dacicus, pontifex

maximus, tribune 17 years, imperator 6 times, consul 6 times, pater patriae (father of the country), to demonstrate the great height of hill removed for such great works. (Trajan’s forum)

THE INSCRIPTION AT THE BASE OF THE COLUMN

Above: Remains of the basilica

Left: Trajan’s markets

TRAJAN’S FORUM

Telling the StoryStatue of St Peter (was Trajan)

Spiral band provides continuous narrative up the column

Story is punctuated with figure of Victory at the end of each campaign

Bands and figures increase in height further up the column for easier reading (0.9 to 1.25m)

Story of two Dacian campaigns (101/2 & 105/6AD) is told in 200m spiral relief with 23 bands.

Things now lost

Trajan’s statue, metal fittings, colour, ashes,

Level 1: Trajan leads two columns across a pontoon bridge, with the god of the Danube watching them .

Level 2: Construction of a Roman Camp (Trajan supervises)

Level 3: Roman cavalry and infantry set out from camp.

Level 4: Trajan receives Dacian embassies (messengers)

Subject Matter

Narrative TechniquesMany figures are symbolic. Eg. A tree can represent a forest.

Narrative TechniquesPerspective is unusual – background is 3D, foreground figures consistently ‘flat’

Colour would have been used, as well as metal fittings

The Emperor Trajan: - appears in numerous scenes- is the only recognisable figure- is often on a higher level to other figures- is slightly larger than other figures

Narrative Techniques

For example, spot Trajan in this scene….

The Column

Triumphant Archway, similar to the Arch of Titus

A Great Hall (Basilica)

Statue of Trajan on Horseback

Temple to the Divine Trajan

Trajan’s Markets