Portraiture of Trajan

Representations of Trajan on the Column: Trajan is portrayed on the Column nearly sixty times (57-60 occurrences; there at least three representations which may or may not refer to the emperor).  He is routinely shown in profile or three-quarter view; only in Scene 20/XX is he shown nearly frontally.  His head is always bare when in battle dress, although he is frequently shown in armor (about 50% of the representations).  When flanked by officers or advisors, he is usually placed in the middle of the composition, and is generally rendered just slightly taller.  He is shown presiding over sacrifice six times, three times with his head covered with a veil.  He is visible 19 times on the principal “facade” of the shaft (southeast), which faced the Basilica Ulpia and the forum square itself, although the basilica would have masked this side of the Column from those standing in the forum.

Close-up of images of Trajan on the Column suggest that a number of different artists were responsible for portraying the emperor.  The 3×3 grids viewable in the gallery below show a range of treatments of the emperor’s hair, eyes, and facial proportions.

Portraits of Trajan in the Round: A sample of busts and statues of Trajan shows a relatively consistent approach to his official portraiture.  Trajan is generally rendered as youthful yet mature, clean shaven with medium-length hair that is evocative of that worn by Rome’s first emperor, Augustus.  The portrait busts often depict the emperor with a bare chest and a military cloak; the semi-nude portrayal makes reference to the “heroic” style of Hellenistic art.  The examples included here can be compared to those in miniature that were carved on the spiral frieze of the Column.