TRAJAN EMPEROR OF THE DAY: Reign: 98 - 117AD Achievements: Second of the “Five good emperors” Extended the Roman empire to its greatest land area, by conquering Dacia
Architect: Apollodorus of Damascus TRAJAN’S COLUMN 112-113AD Made of Parian Marble In Trajan’s Forum, Rome Architect: Apollodorus of Damascus Column+Pedestal = 38m Built to commemorate Trajan’s victories over the Dacians in 102+106AD and as a tomb to hold his ashes
62m
TRAJAN’S FORUM
Temple to the Divine Trajan The Column A Great Hall (Basilica) Trajan’s Markets Statue of Trajan on Horseback Triumphant Archway, similar to the Arch of Titus
Telling the Story – Narrative Techniques Statue of St Peter (was Trajan) Story of two campaigns is told in 200m spiral relief with 23 bands. Bands and figures increase in height further up the column for easier reading Story is punctuated with figure of Victory at the end of each campaign Spiral band provides continuous narrative up the column
Subject Matter Level 4: Trajan receives Dacian embassies (messengers) Level 3: Roman cavalry and infantry set out from camp. Level 2: Construction of a Roman Camp (Trajan supervises) Level 1: Trajan leads two columns across a pontoon bridge, with the god of the Danube watching them .
Narrative Techniques Perspective is unusual – background is 3D, foreground figures consistently ‘flat’
Narrative Techniques Many figures are symbolic. Eg. A tree can represent a forest.
Narrative Techniques Colour would have been used, as well as metal fittings
Narrative Techniques The Emperor Trajan: appears in numerous scenes is the only recognisable figure is often on a higher level to other figures is slightly larger than other figures
For example, spot Trajan in this scene….
King of Dacia. Trajan brought peace/beat him. Decebalus
Stylistic Features Things to look for: Depth Movement Pose Drapery Mood
Stylistic Features Things to look for: Depth Movement Pose Drapery Mood