1. Architecture of the HIGH ROMA EMPIRE
Trajan’s Forum & the Pantheon

2. Propaganda: HW
Throughout history art and architecture has been used as propaganda to shape public opinion.
Select and identify two Roman works that were used to shape public opinion. Citing specific elements in each work, analyze how each work conveyed its porpagandistic message to its intended audience

3. Who was Trajan? What is a forum?
Trajan, optimus, was the first non-Italian Emperor. Expanded the empire and took on further responsibility for caring for citizens
The PAX ROMANA meant unprecedented prosperity for all who came under Roman Rule
Roman government recognized that the standard of excellence in either a law or a work of art was the greatest good for the greatest number
Art became truly public – bridges, baths, theaters, public exhibitions in squares and public artworks geared at the masses
Art also served the state – praising the virtues and deeds of the emperors
A FORUM is a large public space within the city that would include libraries, temples, a large open area for congregating and an adjoining market place.
The new forum glorified Trajan’s victories against the Dacians – which paid for for his building program in Rome

4. THE BUILDING PLAN What are the facts? (F)
Architect: Apollodorus of Damascus
Patron: Emperor Trajan
Title: The Forum of Trajan
Date: 112 CE
Period/Style: High Empire
Size: NA
Findspot: Rome

5. How is space visually organized? (FA)
Central axis, proportional and symmetrical
Each building is unified with the next to create a flowing and fully integrated space
Enter through the grand archway facing the emperor’s equestrian statue.
Directly across the courtyard in the entrance to the Basilica Ulipia – hall of justice
Apses housed law courts
The basilica leads to Trajan’s column, which is flanked by libraries
Directly behind it is his temple

7. Why Was It Created? What is its function?
The elements of a public space and how it is put together or arranged often times reveals the social and political purposes of a space.
Analyze how one would move through this space. Why did he create this space in this specific manner, and what social and political functions or messages did it serve?

8. Public Artworks of the Forum
Throughout history, art in a wide variety of media has been situated in outdoor public spaces to convey meaning to specific audiences
What is the message of the public artworks in the Forum? How do the artworks and their placement convey this meaning to their specific audience.

9. Column of Trajan What are the facts? (F)
Architect: Apollodorus of Damascus
Patron: Emperor Trajan
Title: The Column of Trajan
Date: 112 CE
Period/Style: High Empire
Size: 128 ft tall. 625 foot band running around the column
Findspot: Rome
Materials / Technique
Bas relief, carved marble
Subjetc Matter
Narrative commemorating Trajan’s victories over the Dacians

10. How is the subject matter visually represented / presented? (FA)
Placed between the Forum libraries, the column’s continuous narrative unfolds like a papyrus scroll – to be read in continuous succession
Each scene is differentiated by the appearance of Trajan – who is portrayed as a bold and steady force who is always in command
The artist uses a system of simplified symbols to add additional information such a rivers and mountains to the scene
Action-filled story telling was the focus – appealing to the masses who attended gladiator competitions
Heroic nude statue of Trajan originally at the very top
TRAJAN ASSEMBLING TROOPS

11. WHY WAS IT CREATED?
HISTORICAL EVENTS: The Roman defeat of the Dacians. It took two military campaigns to victory ensure and reinforced the Roman’s intolerance for uprising and challenge
CONCEPTS AND IDEAS: Rome lead to victory over the Dacians by the calm, organized army lead by the steady rule of their emperor – ROMANS WON BECAUSE OF ORGANIZED POWER NOT DIVINITY OR SUPERIORITY
Function: Educational and entertainment of the masses. Through the vsual reading of the artwork they could place themselves in the campaig. Trajan chose the monument as the site of his burial – his ashes are in a chamber below the column. FUNERAY OBJECT and POLITICAL PROPAGANDA

12. PUBLIC ARTWORKS
Throughout history, art in a wide variety of media has been situated in outdoor public spaces to convey meaning to specific audiences
What is the message of the public artworks in the Forum? How do the artworks and their placement convey this meaning to their specific audience.

13. Temple of Trajan & Antiquarianism
Antiquarianism is the concern with things old and rare
The libraries in the Forum housed Rome’s vast collection of books and other cultural records from their conquests
How is the style of Trajan’s temple an example of Antiquarianism?
Maison Carree, Nimes Frace 10 CE