Trajan's Column in Rome Trajan's Column in Rome
The history, archaeology and iconography of the monument
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Images of Trajan in Situ (SE)

Representations of Trajan on the southeast side of Trajan’s Column in Rome.

 

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Scene 4/IV (detail): In 101 CE, Roman troops, carrying their kit over their shoulders, depart from the town gate (or a fortress gate) and start over a pontoon bridge as the personification of the river, Danuvius, looks on. On the right, a legate stands and looks back towards his men. Presumably we are looking at the south bank of the River Danube; the crossing over to the north shore marks the Roman incursion to the Dacian side. The exact point of departure on the Danube has not been resolved. Cast in the Museo della Civilta' Romana, Rome. Ref: RBU2011.6915 Scene 22/XXII (Spiral 3): Assembly of soldiers in anticipation of battle, including standard-bearers on the far right. The setting is in a forest, as indicated by the line of trees at the top of the relief. Compare Cichorius Plate XVII (Scene 22); Casts nos. 51-52 in the Museo della Civiltà Romana. Ref: RBU2011.6975composite Scenes 70/LXX: Romans bringing up the rear) and their allies (the former shown with oval shields and bare chests- clibanarii- attack the Dacians, stepping over the bodies of the fallen enemy in the foreground.From casts 177-178, now in the Museo della Civiltà Romana, Rome. Compare Cichorius Pl. L, scene 70 and Coarelli Pl. 78. Ref: RBU2011.7177. Scene 79/LXXIX: Trajan, standing in the middle of three ships and dressed in traveling clothes, directs his troops as they depart on ships at the beginning of the Second Dacian War. The presence of torches and a lamp on the middle ship suggest that the departure is by night (Lepper/Frere 1988: 129). Harbor buildings dominate the left side; these include temples and an arch crowned with standing male figures. The multi-arched building in the background of cast 208 may represent the boat sheds (navalia) that protected ships when ashore (Coarelli 2000: 137). The harbor is often identified as that of Ancona on the Adriatic coast of Italy (although there is disagreement; cf. Coarelli op. cit.: he suggests Brindisium). Scene 80: locals at the point of arrival (Perhaps Durres?; casts 212-213) greet Trajan and his men. A bull is being sacrificed at the top of cast 212. From casts 207-213, now in the Museo della Civiltà Romana, Rome. Compare Cichorius Pls. LVIII-LIX scenes 79-80 and Coarelli Pls. 93-94. RBU2011.8079-composite. Scenes 147-148/CXLVII-CXVLIII: In these heavily damaged scenes, what is thought to be the head of Decebalus is displayed on a platter - likely an inverted shield - to the Roman soldiers gathered within an encampment (casts 391-392). In the following scene (148) three Dacian nobles (pileati) are surrounded and captured. From casts 391-397, now in the Museo della Civiltà Romana, Rome. Compare Cichorius Pls. CVIII-CIX, scenes 147-148 and Coarelli Pls. 173-174. Ref: RBU2011.8305-composite. Anaglyph of Scene 32/XXXII. RBU2012.1000108-a A new model in the Museo della Civiltà Romana shows the north entrance to the Forum of Trajan. A monumental octastyle porch opens on to a small courtyard which surrounds the Column of Trajan. Multi-storied libraries face the Column on the northeast (foreground) and southwest sides. In the background the clerestory level of the Basilica Ulpia is visible. Ref: RBU2012.EUR2 On the Column of Trajan, from left to right (profile top and side/three-quarter view bottom). 1. (Left, top and bottom): A lustration scene (part of a suovetaurilia) in a Roman camp, with Trajan as chief priest (Scene 103). Compare Cichorius Pl. LXXVI and Coarelli Pl. 124. 2. (Middle, top and bottom): Trajan presides over a sacrifice in a camp; part of a suovetaurilia scene (Scene 53). Compare Cichorius Pl. XXXVIII and Coarelli Pl. 54. 3. (Right, top and bottom): Trajan making a sacrifice in a harbor town (Scene 86). Compare Cichorius Pl. LXIII and Coarelli Pl. 101. Images from casts in the Museo della Civiltà Romana. (Photos by Ulrich; Image Grid by Z. Mei). G. Boni's drawing of the pedestal of the Column of Trajan: actual state view. RBU2013.3707 From G. Boni (1907a) Scene 40: Roman soldiers battle Dacians; prisoners are taken. Compare to Cichorius Plate XXXI. From the original publication of 1865; Ref: F-D-40.

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