Trajan's Forum
Quick Facts:
- Built by order of Emperor Trajan
- Designed by architect Apollodorus of Damascus
- Forum was built with the spoils of war from the conquest of Dacia which ended in 106
- Forum was built in 112 CE, the column was built in 113 CE
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The monumental Trajan`s Column was built at the center of a small courtyard to commemorate the victory of Trajan over the Dacians. The column was completed in 113, and is one of the best preserved of all ancient monuments. It is encircled with a frieze on which bas-reliefs recount the story of the conquest of Dacia. The column’s height marks the height of the hill that was leveled to make way for the Forum.
The column was probably constructed under the supervision of the architect Apollodorus of Damascus who was also responsible for the Basilica Ulpia. The structure is about 30 meters in height; 35 meters if you include its large pedestal. The shaft is made from a series of 20 colossal Carrara marble drums, each weighing about 32 tons, with a diameter of 3.7 meters. The 190-meter frieze winds around the shaft 23 times. Inside the shaft, a spiral staircase of 185 steps provides access to a viewing platform at the top.
Ancient coins indicate that preliminary plans were to top the column with a statue of a bird, probably an eagle, but after construction, a statue of Trajan was put in place. The Trajan statue disappeared in the Middle Ages. On December 4, 1587, the top was crowned by Pope Sixtus V with a bronze figure of St. Peter holding the keys to heaven, which is the statue currently at the top.
A continuous frieze winds around the tower from base to capital, with the narrative band expanding from about 1 meter at the base of the column to 1.2 meters at the top, allowing for easier viewing of the frieze. The relief portrays Trajan’s two victorious military campaigns against the Dacians; the lower half illustrating the first (101–102), and the top half illustrating the second (105–106).The two sections are separated by a personification of Victory writing on a shield flanked on either side by Trophies. Otherwise, the scenes on the frieze unfold continuously and in tipped-up perspective. The imagery is not realistic, as the sculptor pays little attention to perspective. Often a variety of different perspectives are used in the same scene, so that more can be revealed.
The scenes depict mostly the Roman army in military activities such as setting out to battle and engaging the Dacians, as well as constructing fortifications and listening to the Emperor’s address and the success he accomplished. The carvings are crowded with sailors, soldiers, statesmen and priests, showing about 2,500 figures in all and providing a valuable source of information for modern historians on Roman and barbaric arms and methods of warfare (such as forts, ships, weapons, etc.). The emperor Trajan, depicted realistically in the Veristic style, makes 59 appearances among his troops.
Wikipedia
Why would someone put St. Peter on top of the column?
Peter was a disciple of Christ and is believed to be the first person to organise a community of Christians in Rome. He was born in Bethsaida (Bethesda) on the Sea of Galilee, with the birth name Simon. He was friends with John the Baptist and he became one of the first disciples of Christ. Christ changed Simon’s name to Cephas, the Aramaic word for rock. This name was later changed into Greek and became Peter. Christ told the disciples that “Upon this rock (meaning Peter), I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16) He then told Peter “I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven...” Therefore, the holding of keys in a statue or painting always lets you know it is Peter. Peter is recognised by the Catholic church as being the first Pope.
Terms:
Dacians: The Dacians were the ancient inhabitants of Dacia, which was located in and around the Carpathian Mountains and to the west of the Black Sea. Today, this area includes the countries of Romania, Moldova and parts of Ukraine. Dacians are represented on the Arch of Constantine, which is coming up on the tour located near the Colosseum, and here at Trajan’s Column. Body painting was customary among the Dacians as they practiced symbolic-ritual tattooing or body painting for both men and women. Trajan decided to conquer the Dacian Kingdom, partly in order to seize its vast gold mines. The Roman people hailed Trajan’s triumph in Dacia with the longest and most expensive celebration in their history. For his triumph, Trajan gave a 123-day festival (public games) of celebration, in which approximately 11,000 animals were slaughtered and 11,000 gladiators fought in combats. This surpassed Emperor Titus’s celebration in 70 CE, when a 100-day festival included 3,000 gladiators and 5,000 to 9,000 wild animals.
Veristic Style: Verisim is often described as “warts and all”, which means it shows the imperfections of the subject. It focuses on minuscule details of the human head. It doesn’t mean that the head you are viewing is an accurate portrait, it just means that details are abundant. Wikipedia
The column was probably constructed under the supervision of the architect Apollodorus of Damascus who was also responsible for the Basilica Ulpia. The structure is about 30 meters in height; 35 meters if you include its large pedestal. The shaft is made from a series of 20 colossal Carrara marble drums, each weighing about 32 tons, with a diameter of 3.7 meters. The 190-meter frieze winds around the shaft 23 times. Inside the shaft, a spiral staircase of 185 steps provides access to a viewing platform at the top.
Ancient coins indicate that preliminary plans were to top the column with a statue of a bird, probably an eagle, but after construction, a statue of Trajan was put in place. The Trajan statue disappeared in the Middle Ages. On December 4, 1587, the top was crowned by Pope Sixtus V with a bronze figure of St. Peter holding the keys to heaven, which is the statue currently at the top.
A continuous frieze winds around the tower from base to capital, with the narrative band expanding from about 1 meter at the base of the column to 1.2 meters at the top, allowing for easier viewing of the frieze. The relief portrays Trajan’s two victorious military campaigns against the Dacians; the lower half illustrating the first (101–102), and the top half illustrating the second (105–106).The two sections are separated by a personification of Victory writing on a shield flanked on either side by Trophies. Otherwise, the scenes on the frieze unfold continuously and in tipped-up perspective. The imagery is not realistic, as the sculptor pays little attention to perspective. Often a variety of different perspectives are used in the same scene, so that more can be revealed.
The scenes depict mostly the Roman army in military activities such as setting out to battle and engaging the Dacians, as well as constructing fortifications and listening to the Emperor’s address and the success he accomplished. The carvings are crowded with sailors, soldiers, statesmen and priests, showing about 2,500 figures in all and providing a valuable source of information for modern historians on Roman and barbaric arms and methods of warfare (such as forts, ships, weapons, etc.). The emperor Trajan, depicted realistically in the Veristic style, makes 59 appearances among his troops.
Wikipedia
Why would someone put St. Peter on top of the column?
Peter was a disciple of Christ and is believed to be the first person to organise a community of Christians in Rome. He was born in Bethsaida (Bethesda) on the Sea of Galilee, with the birth name Simon. He was friends with John the Baptist and he became one of the first disciples of Christ. Christ changed Simon’s name to Cephas, the Aramaic word for rock. This name was later changed into Greek and became Peter. Christ told the disciples that “Upon this rock (meaning Peter), I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16) He then told Peter “I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven...” Therefore, the holding of keys in a statue or painting always lets you know it is Peter. Peter is recognised by the Catholic church as being the first Pope.
Terms:
Dacians: The Dacians were the ancient inhabitants of Dacia, which was located in and around the Carpathian Mountains and to the west of the Black Sea. Today, this area includes the countries of Romania, Moldova and parts of Ukraine. Dacians are represented on the Arch of Constantine, which is coming up on the tour located near the Colosseum, and here at Trajan’s Column. Body painting was customary among the Dacians as they practiced symbolic-ritual tattooing or body painting for both men and women. Trajan decided to conquer the Dacian Kingdom, partly in order to seize its vast gold mines. The Roman people hailed Trajan’s triumph in Dacia with the longest and most expensive celebration in their history. For his triumph, Trajan gave a 123-day festival (public games) of celebration, in which approximately 11,000 animals were slaughtered and 11,000 gladiators fought in combats. This surpassed Emperor Titus’s celebration in 70 CE, when a 100-day festival included 3,000 gladiators and 5,000 to 9,000 wild animals.
Veristic Style: Verisim is often described as “warts and all”, which means it shows the imperfections of the subject. It focuses on minuscule details of the human head. It doesn’t mean that the head you are viewing is an accurate portrait, it just means that details are abundant. Wikipedia
The Basilica Ulpia was an ancient Roman civic building and was named after Roman Emperor Trajan, whose full name was Marcus Ulpius Traianus.
It became perhaps the most important Basilica after the two ancient Basilicas of Aemilia and Julia, located in the Roman Forum across the street. With the construction of the Basilica Ulpia, much of the political life moved from the Roman Forum to the Forum of Trajan. This area remained the centre of political life until the construction of the Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine.
Basilicas Ulpia was dedicated to the administration of justice, commerce and the presence of the Emperor. It was the largest Basilica in Rome measuring 117 by 55 meters (385 x 182 ft). It was composed of a great central nave with four side aisles with clerestory windows (on the second floor)to let light into the space divided by rows of columns and two semicircular apses, one at each of the ends. The entry to the Basilica was located on the longitudinal side. The columns and the walls were of precious marbles; the 50 meter (164 ft) high roof was covered by gilded bronze tiles.
The many rows of columns which separate the side aisles from the nave present the traditional means of structure for Basilicas.
Many of the columns still exist on site, although a large number have fallen. Part of the foundation of the Basilica continues today but cannot be seen because it is under the modern and busy Via dei Fori Imperiali, which was constructed during the rule of Mussolini.
The Basilica was decorated, of course, with war spoils and trophies from the Dacian Wars conducted under the command of Trajan. As you look at these ruins, note the layout of this Basilica as later, this design was used as the architectural prototype by Constantine as the basis for the layout of new Christian churches.
Wikipedia
Terms:
Basilica: Royal Walkway - A Roman public hall for administering justice or transacting business. It is usually a rectangular plan with a wide central nave, flanked by aisles which are separated from the nave by columns. This plan was adopted for early Christian churches usually with an apse.
Clerestory: (pronounced clear-story) The uppermost storey of medieval churches, lit by a series of large windows and is “clear” of the roofs of the aisle. It is spelled a number of ways: clerestory; clearstory or clerestorey.
Nave: The central body of a building, basilica or church; from the inner western door to the choir; the large central area. It is separated from the side aisles, if any, by arcades or colonnades. A Dictionary of Art Terms, Reginald Haggar
It became perhaps the most important Basilica after the two ancient Basilicas of Aemilia and Julia, located in the Roman Forum across the street. With the construction of the Basilica Ulpia, much of the political life moved from the Roman Forum to the Forum of Trajan. This area remained the centre of political life until the construction of the Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine.
Basilicas Ulpia was dedicated to the administration of justice, commerce and the presence of the Emperor. It was the largest Basilica in Rome measuring 117 by 55 meters (385 x 182 ft). It was composed of a great central nave with four side aisles with clerestory windows (on the second floor)to let light into the space divided by rows of columns and two semicircular apses, one at each of the ends. The entry to the Basilica was located on the longitudinal side. The columns and the walls were of precious marbles; the 50 meter (164 ft) high roof was covered by gilded bronze tiles.
The many rows of columns which separate the side aisles from the nave present the traditional means of structure for Basilicas.
Many of the columns still exist on site, although a large number have fallen. Part of the foundation of the Basilica continues today but cannot be seen because it is under the modern and busy Via dei Fori Imperiali, which was constructed during the rule of Mussolini.
The Basilica was decorated, of course, with war spoils and trophies from the Dacian Wars conducted under the command of Trajan. As you look at these ruins, note the layout of this Basilica as later, this design was used as the architectural prototype by Constantine as the basis for the layout of new Christian churches.
Wikipedia
Terms:
Basilica: Royal Walkway - A Roman public hall for administering justice or transacting business. It is usually a rectangular plan with a wide central nave, flanked by aisles which are separated from the nave by columns. This plan was adopted for early Christian churches usually with an apse.
Clerestory: (pronounced clear-story) The uppermost storey of medieval churches, lit by a series of large windows and is “clear” of the roofs of the aisle. It is spelled a number of ways: clerestory; clearstory or clerestorey.
Nave: The central body of a building, basilica or church; from the inner western door to the choir; the large central area. It is separated from the side aisles, if any, by arcades or colonnades. A Dictionary of Art Terms, Reginald Haggar
Directions to Cosma and Damiano - Distance: 450 M Time to walk: 6 Min
- Stand on the road side of Trajan's Forum, face the road. Turn left and follow the Trajan fence and sidewalk away from the Forum, until you arrive at a traffic light.
- Carefully cross Via del Fori Imperiali and turn left. Be sure you are on Via del Fori Imperiali not Large Corrado Rice. You need to be on the straight road not the curved road. Follow Via del Fori Imperiali.
- When you cross you will see that the walkway splits in two. Take the right side of the walkway.
- Turn right at a small street named Via in Miranda. Follow Miranda, make a left and a quick right as the street bends. The church is at the end.