La colonna Traiana

Summary

Trajan's Column, standing at 29 meters with an additional 6-meter base, was designed as both a monument and a tomb. Constructed from Carrara marble, it chronicles the Roman victory over the Dacians through 2,500 intricately carved figures. The column's internal structure once housed Trajan's urn and a hidden staircase. Despite centuries of earthquakes and invasions, it remains intact, showcasing Roman military history and tactics. Originally crowned with a statue of Trajan, it now holds a smaller statue of St. Peter. This monument offers invaluable insight into the Roman army's legacy and its long-standing influence on Western civilization.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Trajan's Column is 29 meters tall, plus an additional 6 meters for the base, making it a total of 35 meters, roughly the height of a 12-story building.
• 😀 The column was constructed from Carrara marble and is adorned with intricate carvings depicting scenes of war and victory over the Barbarians.
• 😀 The column is hollow inside and was originally conceived as a tomb, housing the urn containing the ashes of Emperor Trajan and his wife, Plotina.
• 😀 There is a hidden chamber within the column, accessible by a small corridor and an obstructed wall, where the urns once rested.
• 😀 The column features a spiral staircase of 185 steps, reminiscent of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and is made from 21 blocks of marble.
• 😀 Despite enduring earthquakes, invasions, and centuries of neglect, the column has stood for nearly 1,900 years.
• 😀 The top of the column once had a large golden bronze statue of Trajan, which was replaced in the 16th century with a smaller statue of Saint Peter.
• 😀 The column's frieze contains 2,500 figures across 154 scenes, effectively portraying a visual history of Roman military campaigns.
• 😀 The frieze is an immense 'cinematic' narrative, resembling a continuous film, with vibrant colors that would have been visible in its original state.
• 😀 The Trajan's Column is a priceless source of information about the appearance, weapons, and tactics of Roman soldiers, and provides insight into the Roman army's vast and enduring role in Western history.

Q & A

How tall is the Trajan's Column, and what is its total height including the base?

The Trajan's Column is 29 meters tall, which is equivalent to 100 Roman feet. With the addition of the 6-meter base, its total height reaches 35 meters, roughly the height of a 12-story building.

What material was used in the construction of the Trajan's Column?

The column was made and sculpted from Carrara marble, a material highly prized for its quality and durability.

What historical significance does the Trajan's Column hold regarding its interior?

The Trajan's Column was designed as a tomb. Inside, there was once a room that housed a golden urn containing the ashes of Emperor Trajan and his wife, Plotina.

What happened to the statue of Trajan at the top of the column?

The original statue of Trajan, made of gilded bronze, was removed, and its whereabouts remain unknown. It was replaced in the mid-1500s with a smaller statue of Saint Peter.

How many blocks of marble were used in the construction of the Trajan's Column, and how well have they stood the test of time?

The column is composed of 21 blocks of marble, each meticulously stacked. Despite earthquakes, barbarian invasions, and centuries of neglect, the column has remained standing for almost 2,000 years.

What can be found at the base of the Trajan's Column, and what does it represent?

At the base of the column, there are depictions of weapons and armor belonging to the defeated barbarians. This imagery reflects the victory of the Roman Empire over its enemies.

How is the narrative depicted on the Trajan's Column, and how many figures does it include?

The column features around 2,500 finely carved figures across 154 scenes. These scenes are arranged like frames in a movie, creating a continuous narrative that spirals upwards along the column.

What unique feature did the sculptures and reliefs on the Trajan's Column have originally, which is often overlooked today?

Originally, the sculptures and reliefs on the column were brightly colored, a fact that is often overlooked today, as most of the statues and carvings are now white due to weathering and aging.

What major military campaigns does the Trajan's Column depict, and where did these battles take place?

The Trajan's Column illustrates two major military campaigns fought by Roman legions in what is now Romania, celebrating the victories of Emperor Trajan over the Dacians.

What role did the Roman army play in the history of the Western world, according to the script?

The Roman army is described as the longest-lasting social structure in Western history, enduring for over 2,200 years, from its origins in 750 BCE to its eventual collapse during the Renaissance with the fall of Constantinople.