Trajan's Column: Masterpiece of Roman Victory and Art

Trajan's Column: A Roman Masterpiece

Author: Apollodorus of Damascus, a friend of Trajan. Chronology: 107 - 113 AD (2nd Century AD). Material and technique: Cut in polychrome marble. Form: Free-standing and relief (lower half).

Formal Analysis of the Monument

The column is cylindrical, approximately 4 meters in diameter, and made of marble. It stands on a base that is 10 meters high and 6 meters in diameter. The base is square and decorated with detailed reliefs of arms and armor. The column consists of a base (cut in the shape of a laurel crown) with a shaft that is 20 meters in height, consisting of 17 cylindrical drums and crowned with a Doric capital.

On the capital, there was originally a bronze statue of the emperor, which disappeared during the Middle Ages. In 1588, it was replaced by another statue of St. Peter.

The Helical Frieze and Sculptural Details

The shaft features a helical ribbon 200 meters long, which wraps around the column 23 times and is made of sculpted bas-reliefs. As it rises, the size of the relief increases to maintain visibility. In total, there are 155 scenes sculpted without interruption, featuring 2,500 human figures, where the emperor appears 59 times. The other characters are represented naturally with many details. Despite the realism, metaphorical resources are also utilized, such as the representation of gods and the Danube River, which appears as an elderly person.

The Pedestal and Inscription

At the base, the pedestal (the support that holds the structure) forms the bottom of the column where we find an inscription: "The Senate and Roman people, to the Pontiff Maximus, the Emperor Caesar, tribune for the 17th time, consul and emperor for the 6th time, Father of the Country." The height of the column matches the height of the mountain and the site that was destroyed for this work. This means that for the forum, the mountain had to be cut and destroyed, and the column marks that original height.

Historical Context of Trajan's Reign

Trajan ruled from 98 to 117 AD, during which the Roman Empire reached its maximum height. He entrusted the government to the Senate and devoted himself to military matters. Basically, Trajan developed his military campaigns near the Danube, and we emphasize the conquest of the Dacian peoples, which is the reason for the column. Trajan also reformed the buildings of Rome; for example, he built an organization that bears his name, the Trajan's Market, improved the road network, and built a port.