1. EMPEROR OF THE DAY: Trajan Reign: 98 - 117AD Achievements: - second of the “Five good emperors” Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antonius Pius, Marcus Aureleus - extended the Roman empire to its greatest land area, with victories over the dacians (Romanians).

2. TRAJAN’S COLUMN 112-113AD Made of Paros Marble In Trajan’s Forum Architect: Apollodorus Column+Pedestal = 38m Column = 29.77m Diameter = 3.7m A circular stair way up its middle Built to commemorate victories over the Dacians in 102+106AD Commemorates Trajan three ways: A statue of him atop it The narrative of his victories His tomb (ashes in the pedistal) Propogandist

3. Trajan’s Forum included -The column -a triumphal arch -A basilica (great hall) -two libraries -Trajan’s market -Temple to the divine Trajan (built by Hadrian). -It is north of the main Roman Forum, near the Quirinal hill. THE COLUMN (in the centre of the picture) was 38 m high and consisted of 200 m of spiraling bas-relief telling the Emperor Trajan’s exploits against the Dacians. On the top Trajan’s bronze statue must have shone in bright colors. Two libraries were built nearby and terraces were installed above the libraries to better view the work. Here from a higher angle the column embedded in the great complex of Trajan’s Forum.

4. The Senate and people of Rome to the emperor Caesar, son of the divine Nerva, NervA Traianus Augustus Germanicus Dacicus, pontifex maximus, tribune 17 years, imperator 6 times, consul 6 times, pater patriae (father of the country), to demonstrate the great height of hill removed for such great works. (Trajan’s forum) THE INSCRIPTION AT THE BASE OF THE COLUMN

5. Above: Remains of the basilica Left: Trajan’s markets TRAJAN’S FORUM

6. Telling the Story Statue of St Peter (was Trajan) Spiral band provides continuous narrative up the column Story is punctuated with figure of Victory at the end of each campaign Bands and figures increase in height further up the column for easier reading (0.9 to 1.25m) Story of two Dacian campaigns (101/2 & 105/6AD) is told in 200m spiral relief with 23 bands. Things now lost Trajan’s statue, metal fittings, colour, ashes,

7. Level 1: Trajan leads two columns across a pontoon bridge, with the god of the Danube watching them. Level 2: Construction of a Roman Camp (Trajan supervises) Level 3: Roman cavalry and infantry set out from camp. Level 4: Trajan receives Dacian embassies (messengers) Subject Matter

8. Narrative Techniques Many figures are symbolic. Eg. A tree can represent a forest.

9. Narrative Techniques Perspective is unusual – background is 3D, foreground figures consistently ‘flat’ Colour would have been used, as well as metal fittings

10. 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 Narrative Techniques

11. For example, spot Trajan in this scene….

12. The Column Triumphant Archway, similar to the Arch of Titus A Great Hall (Basilica) Statue of Trajan on Horseback Temple to the Divine Trajan Trajan’s Markets