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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The first events of the first campaign, corresponding to most of Scene I, all of Scene II, and the beginning of Scene III of the Cichorius system. The view is towards the south bank of the Danube, as Trajan's army prepares cross over the river in Dacian territory. From the left: sentries wearing full capes stand between signal towers from which torches protrude. Further on river boats are loaded with bales and barrels against a backdrop of gabled buildings, perhaps warehouses, protected by palisade fencing. At the far right a personification of the River Danube rises from the waters to cast a benign eye on the first march of Roman troops, and lend a sense of divine approbation of the scene. A composite image from the Column in situ. Scene 24/XXIV: In the center of the scene, just above the window (on the northeast side of the Column), Trajan is presented with the severed heads of his adversaries. The emperor and his officers are standing in front of a walled fort. RBU2015.5466 Scene 66/LXVI: Roman legionaries ready a ballista on a fortified position. From cast #166, now in the Museo della Civiltà Romana, Rome. Compare Cichorius Pl. XLVII scene 66 and Coarelli Pl. 72. Ref: RBU2011.7156. Scene 86/LXXXVI (Composite): Trajan (cast 226), having just disembarked at a port, pours a libation over an altar while a bull is readied for sacrifice. In the background, there are legionary standards (signa) and the buildings of a town, including representations of a portico with an enclosed garden (left, behind the standards), a theater, and a temple. On the far right, a cargo ship with its swan-shaped stern, steering oar, and anchor. From casts 225 - 228, now in the Museo della Civiltà Romana, Rome. Compare Cichorius Pl. LXIII scene 86 and Coarelli Pls. 100-101. RBU2011.8098-composite. Scenes 127/CXXVII (detail): The legionary depicted appears to be working at bedrock using a heavy pick. Behind him soldiers build a wall with squared blocks of stone. From casts 344-345, now in the Museo della Civiltà Romana, Rome. Compare Cichorius Pl. XCV, scene 127, and Coarelli Pl. 155. Ref: RBU2011.8248. Parallel stereograph of Scene 121/CXXI. RBU2012.1000123-p View of the Column of Trajan from the south, in the vicinity of the Forum of Julius Caesar. RBU2016.6468 On the Column of Trajan, from left to right (profile top and side/three-quarter view bottom). 1. (Left, top and bottom): A seated Trajan greets and rewards auxiliaries (Scene 44). Compare Cichorius Pl. XXXIV and Coarelli Pl. 48. 2. (Middle, top and bottom): Trajan is petitioned by Dacians (Scene 46). Compare Cichorius Pl. XXXV and Coarelli Pl. 49. 3. (Right, top and bottom): Trajan receives a group of legionaries at a mountain fortress (Scene 50). Compare Cichorius Pl. XXXVI and Coarelli Pl. 52. Images from casts in the Museo della Civiltà Romana. (Photos by Ulrich; Image Grid by Z. Mei). View of the southwest face of the pedestal of the Column of Trajan. A draco standard frames each of the upper corners of the relief, the main zone of which is filled with depictions of captured arms. RBU2013.3857 Scene 4: Roman soldiers carry their kit. = Cichorius Scene 4. From the original publication of 1865: pg. 70; Ref: F-D-4-det1.

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